OregonFlora species comparison

terete, 2–40 cm × 0.5–1.5(2) mm.

usually triangular, occasionally terete, rarely compressed or quadrangular; solid or pithy.

basal and/or cauline, alternate, usually 3-ranked, bases forming cylindric sheaths enclosing stem;

margins fused;

ligules often present;

blades frequently absent from some basal leaves, rarely from cauline leaves; when present flat, folded, rolled, or terete, linear.

lanceoloid to subcylindric, 5–10(20) × 2–3(4) mm;

proximal scale empty, encircling approximately 67% of culm; floral scales 25–100(200), 8–12 per mm of rachilla, 2(2.5) × 1–1.3 mm;

apex narrowly rounded to subacute.

with a shortened axis; floral scales 1–many, crowded, spirally arranged, sometimes 2-ranked, usually each subtending a single flower or perigynium, sometimes proximal and/or distal scales empty; perigynia if present closed or open down one side, subtending and enclosing a very short rachilla-bearing 1-pistillate flower (Carex), sometimes also (0)3 staminate flowers and empty scales (Kobresia);

spikes aggregated into secondary inflorescences that are panicles, often modified and sometimes consisting of a single spike; secondary inflorescences usually subtended by a foliaceous or scale-like or bristle-like bract.

perianth bristles present or often absent; (0)5–8; about as long as the achenes;

anthers 0.3–0.7(1) mm;

stigmas 2–3.

bisexual (unisexual in Carex and Kobresia);

perianth absent or consisting of (1)3–6(30) bristles and/or scales;

stamens usually (1)3, rarely more;

ovary with 1–3(4) carpels, fused; locule 1;

style undivided or branched;

stigmas 2–3(4).

achenes, usually trigonous or biconvex.

biconvex or to 33% greatly compressed trigonous, 0.9–1.1(1.5) × 0.7– 1.1 mm.

persistent, apex of distal leaf sheath obtuse to acute, with tooth to 0.3 mm.

depressed, subdeltoid, 0.1–0.3(0.4) × 0.6–0.9(1) mm, 10–40% as high as wide, 25% or less as high as achene, 90% as wide as achene.