Carex polymorpha
Descr. Gram., 239. 1817.
Plants colonial, long-rhizomatous. Culms 30–60 cm, scabrous to smooth distally. Leaves: proximal sheaths fibrillose, bladeless, brown- to reddish purple tinged, 2–4.5 mm diam.; ligules 2–10 mm, longer than wide; largest blades green, flat, 4–45 cm × 2.5–6 mm. Inflorescences 6–19 cm, 1.4–2.2 times longer than proximal bract; proximal bracts 2–9 cm; sheath 0.6–2 cm, blade 1.5–7 cm; proximal spikes pistillate or androgynous; lateral spikes cylindric, 1.5–3.5 cm × 7.5–11 mm; terminal 1–3 spikes, staminate. Pistillate scales purple or brown, apex rounded or obtuse. Perigynia densely arranged, green to light brown, 2-ribbed and finely veined, 4.2–6.8 × 1.5–2.5 mm, with low, broad papillae; beak purple tinged, mouth hyaline, obliquely bidentate, asymmetrically flared, 0.8–1.8(–2.2) mm. Achenes light to dark brown, 2.2–2.8 × 1.4–2.3 mm.
Phenology: Fruiting early–mid summer.
Habitat: Thin woods with sandy soils
Elevation: 30–1200 m
Distribution
Conn., Del., Maine, Md., Mass., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Pa., R.I., Va., W.Va.
Discussion
Of conservation concern.
Carex polymorpha, rare throughout its range, is of conservation concern (L. A. Standley and J. L. Dudley 1991).
Selected References
None.