Cyperaceae
Sedge Family
Carex gravida Bailey
- Notes: Carex gravida is a tufted perennial with a triangular stem 1 1/2’ to 3’ tall. The basal leaf sheaths are loose around the stem and mottled or green-striped. The leaf blades are 12” by 1/4” and smooth with the tip sharp-pointed. Usually five roundish spikes are clustered at the tip of the stem. The spikes are bristly with the florets divergent from one another. The male flowers are located at the tip of each spike. The perigynium is oval and flat with the edges winged and tapering to two 1/16” long teeth. Two stigmas protrude from the perigynium. The seedlike fruits are flat and 1/32” in diameter. Flowering is from mid-May to early June. Fruiting begins in early June, and fruits begin dropping in late June. C. gravida is frequent on moist and mesic prairies to open woods and forests.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
