OregonFlora species comparison

3–10 mm thick.

cylindric, 50–300 cm × 2–10 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.

C-shaped to dorsiventrally flat in cross section, usually much shorter than sheath;

distal blade 2–200 × 1–4 mm;

margins often scabridulous.

proximal bract usually erect, thickly C-shaped to subterete, 1–8 cm.

15–200; solitary or less often in clusters of 2–4(7); clusters on branches to 15(25) cm long;

spikes 3–17 × 2.5–4 mm; floral scales ovate, 2–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm, uniformly dark to pale orange-brown, sometimes straw-colored, sometimes with prominent linear dots;

midrib often pale or green, sparsely (rarely densely) reddish or straw-colored scabrous on awn and distal parts of midrib and sometimes flanks;

margins ciliate;

hairs contorted;

apex obtuse to rounded; notch 0.2–0.3 mm deep; awn straight or bent, 0.2–0.8 mm.

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 6; more or less equaling achene, densely retrorsely spinulose, brown;

stigmas 2, sometimes 3 near spike apex.

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.

plano-convex, 1.5–2.8 × 1.2–1.7 mm;

beak 0.2–0.4 mm.

=42.