Carex aquatilis var. substricta
calcareous water sedge, carex subétroit
35–100 cm, angles glabrous or scabrous.
basal sheaths leafless, usually red-brown;
blades amphistomic, 5–8 mm wide, papillose on both surfaces.
peduncle of proximal spike not more than 4 cm;
proximal bract longer than inflorescence, 4–8 mm wide.
erect;
proximal 2–6 spikes pistillate, 4–6 cm × 4–7 mm, base cuneate or attenuate;
terminal 1–3 spikes staminate.
pale brown, veinless, obovoid, 2.6–3.2 × 1.5–2.2 mm, apex rounded;
beak pale brown, thickened, not more than 0.2 mm.
scales pale red-brown with narrow red-brown marginand broad pale midvein.
= 76, 77.
Carex aquatilis var. substricta
Populations of Carex aquatilis var. substricta from Minnesota to Massachusetts tend to have very pale scales with a very broad, pale brown midvein, distinctly obovoid perigynia, and broad pistillate spikes that are rarely staminate at the apex. These populations tend to occur on neutral or calcareous substrates (fens) rather than the more acidic marshes favored by var. aquatilis. The two varieties intergrade where they come into contact.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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