Carex muehlenbergii
Sp. Pl. 4(1): 231. 1805.
Plants without conspicuous rhizomes. Culms 20–90 cm, 1.7–2.2 mm wide basally, 0.7–1.1 mm wide distally. Leaves: sheaths tight, green, sometimes white spotted, fronts hyaline, sometimes transversely rugose, mouth yellowish and thickened; ligules to 3 mm, usually wider than long; widest leaf blades 2–4 mm wide, papillose adaxially. Inflorescences with 3–10 spikes, 1.5–4 cm × 8–12 mm; proximal internodes equaling or shorter than proximal spikes; proximal bracts less than 2 cm; spikes with 8–20 ascending or spreading perigynia. Pistillate scales hyaline with green, 3-veined center, ovate to ovate-circular, body narrower than and 2/3 to length of perigynium, apex acute or with awn 0.5–1.5(–2) mm. Anthers 1.5–2.3 mm. Perigynia pale green to yellow-brown, 9–15-veined abaxially, margins serrulate distally; beak 0.2–1.2mm, apical teeth 0.2–0.5 mm. Achenes suborbiculate, 1.9–2.2 × 1.9–2.1 mm.
Distribution
Ont., Que., Ala., Ark., Conn., D.C., Del., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Mass., Md., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.C., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Nebr., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., Vt., W.Va., Wis.
Discussion
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Pistillate scales 2.5–3.6 mm; perigynia 5–9-veined or veinless adaxially, 3–4.2 mm. | Carex muehlenbergii var. muehlenbergii |
| 1 | Pistillate scales 2–2.5 mm; perigynia veinless adaxially, 2.7–3.1 mm. | Carex muehlenbergii var. enervis |