Flora of North America species comparison

Carex canescens subsp. canescens is a variable taxon with a wide circumpolar distribution; it is found throughout the distibution range of the species, except the southernmost parts of southeastern United States. Many varieties and forms have been described in the subspecies. Slender, short plants with subglobose spikes and small, short-beaked perigynia have often been called var. subloliacea. Those plants represent both subspecies treated herein and to a minor part also C. lapponica. Tall, robust plants with stout, relative dark perigynia from mountainous regions (especially British Columbia and Alaska) may represent an ecotype and are often called var. robustior. Similar specimens have been collected from southern South America (Tierra del Fuego, Falkland Islands). The status of the taxon needs further study.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Species 20–25 (16 in flora).

Members of Carex sect. Glarosae primarily occur on peatlands, shores, meadows, moist forests, and wet tundra in the colder parts of the flora area and extend northward into the arctic region and southward in the western mountains. The group is widely distributed in Eurasia and sparingly represented in the mountains of southern Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Hybrids in sect. Glareosae are rather uncommon, though to some extent neglected. Hybrids are found where parental species coexist, and they usually show intermediate ecologic preferences (H. Toivonen 1981). Hybrids are intermediate in morphology and some show hybrid vigor. They seem to be highly sterile with aborted pollen grains and empty perigynia.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)