Carex phaeocephala
Encyclopedia
Carex phaeocephala is a species of sedge
known by the common name dunhead sedge.
to California
to New Mexico
, where it grows from foothills to high elevation habitats, including areas of alpine climate
, generally in rocky soils.
The dense or open inflorescence
contains several spikes of flowers. Female flowers have scales which are greenish or brown-orange with narrow pale edges. The perigynium covering the fruit has a dark center and greenish margins.
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 dunhead sedge.
Distribution
This sedge is native to much of western North America, from AlaskaAlaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
to California
California
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 New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, where it grows from foothills to high elevation habitats, including areas of 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....
, generally in rocky soils.
Description
Carex phaeocephala produces dense clumps of stems up to about 45 centimeters in maximum height with several narrow, channeled leaves up to about 20 centimeters long.The dense or open 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...
contains several spikes of flowers. Female flowers have scales which are greenish or brown-orange with narrow pale edges. The perigynium covering the fruit has a dark center and greenish margins.