Cyperaceae The Sedge Family

70-115 genera 3600-5000 species Herbs Monocots Annual, biennial, or perennial Flowers are arranged in spikelets somewhat as in grasses, and these again in larger spike-like or panicled inflorescences Flowers are often unisexual, are wind-pollinated Widely distributed throughout the earth Found mainly in wetlands and poor soils Stems are triangular

Carex Genus Est. 1500-2500 species One of the largest and most widespread genera of angiosperms Male flower consists of 3 stamens, female flower consists of 2-3 carpels Perennials panicles of flower heads in short spikes

Carex interior: Inland sedge 1.5 feet Blooms mid Spring 3-5 leaves/stem

Carex lasiocarpa: woolyfruit sedge Most dominant in wetlands, forming huge stands Leaves permanently folded along mid rib

Carex stipata: awlfruit sedge 3.5 feet Course leaves often elongate Low, wet grounds

Carex trisperma-threeseeded sedge Adapted to fine- and meduim-textured soils. Stems very slender and weak. Mostly near the coast.

Carex intumescens- greater bladder sedge Moist to wet woods. 3 feet. Blooms late spring

Carex retrorsa-knotsheath sedge Found in swampy woods and wet meadows. Stems densely clustered on short rhizomes.

Carex gracillima-graceful sedge Blooms late spring. Strongly purple-tinged at base. Leaves sheathed and and glabrous.

Carex limosa-mud sedge Stems arising singly or few together from long rhizomes. Few leaves

Carex pseudocyperus- cypress-like sedge Stout stems Pistillate spikes drooping. Swamps and bogs.

Eriophorum Genus Scales spirally arranged. Flowers perfect, each in the axil of the a scale. Mature spiklet forms a dense, cottony tuft 2-4cm. Stamens 1-3 Perennial herbs of wet places Grass like leaves Found in northern hemispere.

Eriophorum polystachion- Coldswamp Cotton-grass . Flowering June-August Habitat: bogs. Leaves Elongated, flat, rough along the edges.

Eriophorum vaginatum- tussock cottongrass Leaves clustered at base. Bogs and open conifer swamps.

Eriophorum virginicum- tawny cottongrass Stems stiff and erect to 1 meter. Solitary of few from together from freely rooting base. Swamps and bogs.

References http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/Cyperace.htm http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Cyperaceae http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CAIN11 http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/photos/CARRET1_RF.jpg http://www.prairiemoon.com/images/D/Carex-gracillima-Purple-sheathed-Graceful-Sedge-plant.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Carex_limosa_korseby.jpeg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Carex_pseudocyperus.jpeg http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/florane/species/3/eriopoly.htm Cronquist, Arthur., Gleason, Henry A. Manual of vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Edition. Ney York Botanical Garden. 1991.