FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Look for unwrinkled leaf sheath around lower part of flowering stem. All Carex spp. have "v" shaped leaf blades with distinctive keels. All sedges also have triangular flowering stems (in cross-section). Identification to species requires mature fruits and seeds (achenes).
Synonym(s): Carex stipata
Description: A medium-sized, clumping, grass-like sedge with spiky seedheads and wide, easily compressed stems. Usually 0.5 to 1 m tall. Stems solid and triangular.
Leaves: Fine leaves with distinct linear indent, or keel, at midrib. Unwrinkled leaf sheath around lower part of flowering stem.
Flowers/Fruit: Spiky seedheads. Inflorescence contains male and female flowers crowded in separate cylindrical clusters on the same plant. All Carex species share the feature of seeds (achenes) being completely encompassed by an outer covering (perigynium). Flowers and fruits May through June.
Habit and Range: Partly sunny spots in swamps, marshes statewide. Chiefly in the Mountains and Piedmont.
