Carex distans

Carex distans, commonly known as distant sedge,[1][2] is a plant species in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. It is native to Europe and North Africa. It is part of a complex of similar species that occur across Eurasia. Its relatives include Carex diluta of central Asia, which has also introduced to North America in Montana. C. distans has been introduced to US states including Maryland and Pennsylvania.[2] More recently, it was found in Oregon. There is a report from Victoria, Australia as well.

Carex distans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Carex
Section: Carex sect. Spirostachyae
Species:
C. distans
Binomial name
Carex distans

Description

C. distans is densely cespitose and 40–80 centimetres (16–31 in) tall. Leaves: sheaths are brown to orange-brown; blades are green, flat and 3–4.5 millimetres (0.12–0.18 in) wide. The inflorescence consists of widely separated spikes. The terminal spike is staminate and the lower 2–4 spikes are pistillate. The perigynia (also called utricles) are green to brownish, 3.5–4.6 millimetres (0.14–0.18 in) long, contracted to a beak 1–1.4 millimetres (0.039–0.055 in) long. Stigmas are 3 and achenes trigonous. 2n = 68, 70–72, 74.

Distribution

In Europe, these sedges grows in moist meadows, often on sandy or rocky soils. They can grow in brackish marshes and are especially common along coastlines. In the United States, they are found on ballast dumps and in other disturbed, sandy locations. The species is widespread and its overall population appears stable.

References
  1. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Carex distans". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
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