Carex laxiflora Lam.

Broad loose-flowered sedge

Broad loose-flowered sedge is native to eastern North America.

Desperately Seeking Carex With close to 800 species in North America, and 2000 worldwide, many Carex species are difficult to identify. You might want to consult this quick guide to Carex anatomy.

Plants: Dense tufts of culms, each 1–1½′ ⨉ 1/32–1/16″ (39–47 cm ⨉ 0.8–2 mm).

Leaves: Flat, 7–10 ⨉ ⅛–1″ (19–25 cm ⨉ 5–26 mm).

Flowers: Each inflorescence has a staminate (male) flower at the top, and usually three pistillate (female) spikes loosely spaced below. Staminate spikes are ⅞–15/16 ⨉ 1/32–⅛″ (2.3–2.4 cm ⨉ 1.5–3 mm), with scales that are 1/16–⅛ ⨉ ~1/32″ (3–3.5 ⨉ 1–1.5 mm). Pistillate spikes are ¼–1¼ ⨉ ~⅛″ (9–33 ⨉ 3.2–4 mm), with scales that are 1/16–⅛ ⨉ ~1/32″ (2.5–3 ⨉ 1.2–1.5 mm).

Fruits: Achenes are ~1/16 ⨉ ~1/32″ (1.8–2.2 ⨉ 1–1.4 mm). Fruit appears from spring to early summer.

Habitats: Deciduous to mixed upland forests, ridges or ledges, talus and rocky slopes, at elevations below 3281′ (1 km).

Similar species.

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Carex laxiflora description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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