Carex raynoldsii
Encyclopedia
Carex raynoldsii is a species of sedge
known by the common name Raynolds' sedge.
to Colorado
to Yukon
, where it grows in mountain meadows in subalpine
and alpine climate
s.
s. The inflorescence
is a cluster of separate rounded or oval flower spikes one to two centimeters long, each generally hanging on a peduncle
. The female flower has a covering scale which is black, brown, or purple, often with a raised, light colored midstripe and produces a rounded fruit.
Carex
Carex is a genus of plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges. Other members of the Cyperaceae family are also called sedges, however those of genus Carex may be called "true" sedges, and it is the most species-rich genus in the family. The study of Carex is known as...
known by the common name Raynolds' sedge.
Distribution
This sedge is native to western North America from CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
to Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
, where it grows in mountain meadows in subalpine
Subalpine
The subalpine zone is the biotic zone immediately below tree line around the world. Species that occur in this zone depend on the location of the zone on the Earth, for example, Snow Gum in Australia, or Subalpine Larch, Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir in western North America.Trees in the...
and alpine climate
Alpine climate
Alpine climate is the average weather for a region above the tree line. This climate is also referred to as mountain climate or highland climate....
s.
Description
Carex raynoldsii is sedge produces clumps of smooth stems up to about 75 centimeters in maximum height from a network of rhizomeRhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
s. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is a cluster of separate rounded or oval flower spikes one to two centimeters long, each generally hanging on a peduncle
Peduncle (botany)
In botany, a peduncle is a stem supporting an inflorescence, or after fecundation, an infructescence.The peduncle is a stem, usually green and without leaves, though sometimes colored or supporting small leaves...
. The female flower has a covering scale which is black, brown, or purple, often with a raised, light colored midstripe and produces a rounded fruit.