Carex chalciolepis

T. Holm

Amer. J. Sci. 166: 28, figs. 1–5. 1903.

IllustratedEndemic
Synonyms: Carex atrata var. chalciolepis (T. Holm) Kükenthal Carex atrata var. larimerana (Kelso) Kelso Carex chalciolepis var. larimerana Kelso Carex heteroneura var. chalciolepis (T. Holm) F. J. Hermann
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 23. Mentioned on page 405.

Plants densely cespitose. Culms 20–50 cm, smooth. Leaves 2.5–5 mm wide. Inflorescences: proximal bracts shorter than or exceeding inflorescences; spikes contiguous, overlapping, distinct or the proximal separate and pendent, elongate, 10–25 × 6–10 mm; proximal long-pendunculate; lateral 3–6 spikes pistillate or, rarely, gynecandrous; terminal spike gynecandrous. Pistillate scales chestnut or brownish black with hyaline margins, lanceolate, equaling or longer than and narrower than perigynia, midvein same color as body, inconspicuous, slightly raised, prominent. Perigynia ascending, purple-brown with green or pale yellow margins, veinless, broadly ovate, 3–4 × 2.25–3.5 mm, apex abruptly beaked, distally papillose; beak 0.3–0.5 mm, entire or shallowly bidentate, smooth. Achene filling proximal 1/2 or less of perigynium.


Phenology: Fruiting Jun–Aug.
Habitat: Subalpine and alpine meadows
Elevation: 3000–4000 m

Distribution

V23 724-distribution-map.jpg

Ariz., Colo., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Utah.

Discussion

Carex chalciolepis has pendent spikes with an almost shaggy appearance from pistillate scales typically longer than the perigynia. Similar forms are found among C. aterrima Hoppe in eastern Siberia.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Carex chalciolepis"
David F. Murray +
T. Holm +
Ariz. +, Colo. +, Mont. +, Nev. +, N.Mex. +  and Utah. +
3000–4000 m +
Subalpine and alpine meadows +
Fruiting Jun–Aug. +
Amer. J. Sci. +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Carex atrata var. chalciolepis +, Carex atrata var. larimerana +, Carex chalciolepis var. larimerana +  and Carex heteroneura var. chalciolepis +
Carex chalciolepis +
Carex sect. Racemosae +
species +