Cyperaceae
Sedge Family
Carex brevior (Dewey) Mack, ex Lunell
- Notes: Carex brevior is a tufted perennial with a smooth stem 1 1/2’ to 2 1/2’ tall. Leaf blades are 12” by 1/8” and smooth. Three to five spikes are clustered at the tip of the stem. Each spike is 5/16” long with male florets at the base of each spike. The bracts below each spike are threadlike and longer than the spike. The perigynium is oval, 1/8” long, and flat with winged edges. The perigynium tapers to two points with two stigmas protruding. The seedlike fruits are flat, are 1/16” in diameter, and have a prominent beak at the style end. Flowering is from mid-May to early June, and fruiting begins in late May. Fruits begin dropping in mid-June. C. brevior is frequent on dry to wet prairies and in open woods.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
