Carex backii

Illustrator: Susan A. Reznicek

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Culms 1.4–25 cm. Leaves: basal sheaths pale to medium brown; blades dull green to yellowish green, longer than stems, 1.3–5.4 mm wide, coriaceous, margins green, crenulate to scabrous. Lateral spikes 0–3, basal, on erect peduncles. Terminal spikes with staminate portion 2–3-flowered, 2-–3.6 × 0.4–1 mm; pistillate portion 2–7-flowered. Pistillate scales green, margins (2–)2.5–6.5 mm wide, essentially concealing perigynia, apex acute, distal scales lanceolate to ovate, apex acute. Staminate scales green to pale brown, ovate to oblong, 1.9–3.5 × 0.8–1.5 mm, margins enfolding scales above, white, often with reddish brown tinge, apex obtuse. Anthers 0.9–1.3 mm. Perigynia dull green to dark olive green, ellipsoid to ovoid, 4.8–6.6 × 1.9–3.2 mm, loosely enveloping achenes, apex gradually tapering; beak 1.9–2.9 mm, smooth. Stigmas clavate, erect, shorth, thick, minutely papillose. Achenes 2.5–3.2 × 1.6–2.3 mm. 2n = 66.

Phenology: Fruiting spring–summer (late May–late Jul).
Habitat: Dry, rocky, open, or shaded slopes, ridges, and barrens, in hardwood, mixed, or coniferous forests, including pine plantations, on acidic and calcareous substrates
Elevation: 200–2100 m

Distribution

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Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Ont., Que., Sask., Colo., Maine, Mich., Minn., Mont., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.Dak., Pa., S.Dak., Vt., Wis., Wyo.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.