CAREX OLIGOSPERMA Michx. Few-seeded Sedge FAMILY: Cyperaceae.

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.424.6660

HABIT: Loosely tufted perennial from an elongate, slender rootstalk, fertile culms mostly solitary, 3-10 dm.; fruiting June-August. SIMILAR SPECIES: C. oligosperma differs from closely-related sedges, such as C. tuckermanii and C. vesicaria, in its quill-like, involute, not flat, leaves. It is similar in general appearance to C. lasiocarpa, which also has involute leaves and which grows in similar habitats. These two species are difficult to separate when sterile, a condition frequently encountered. They can be distinguished best by technical characters of size and shape of perigynia. TOTAL RANGE: Newfoundland to Mack., s. to CT, PA, IN, and WI. STATE RANGE (as of 2008): There are post-1980 records from Portage, Stark, and Summit counties. There are pre-1980 records from Defiance County. HABITAT: Open, wet situations in acidic substrates; peat bogs, marshes, bog lakes; at times a significant component of sphagnum mats. HAZARDS: Overgrowth by woody species through succession. RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, but possibly good due to its rhizomatous habit. INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Collect complete, mature specimens with underground parts. COMMENTS: It is quite easy to overlook this species. Very few fertile culms are produced and these often are hidden among a luxuriant growth of sterile leaves. There also is a great possibility of mistaking this plant for C. lasiocarpa (see Similar Species). It should be sought throughout northern Ohio. It well may be more frequent than the few records indicate. SELECTED REFERENCES: