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Simple Kobresia - Kobresia simpliciuscula
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Rare in Montana, where it is known from over a dozen sites from montane wetlands to mesic, alpine tundra. The specieshas a wide distribution and is scattered across the mountainous portion of the state.
General Description
Stems 5–20 cm. Leaves flat, 1–2 mm wide. Inflorescence of several aggregated spikes 3–6 mm long; bracts 3–4 mm long. Spikelets: upper male, 1-flowered; lower female or bisexual, 1- or 2-flowered. Perigynia brown, 2.5–3 mm long. Achenes ca. 3 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Phenology
Mature fruit in late July-August.
Diagnostic Characteristics
This species could easily be mistaken for a true sedge (Carex), but is distinguished by having a bract wrapped around the ovary, rather than a closed perigynium. Kobresia myosuroides , which can occur in the same habitat, is distinguished by having a solitary spike rather than multiple spikes.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Glacier and Teton counties; circumboreal south to UT and CO (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 38
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Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Montane fens to moist tundra in the alpine zone.
Ecological Systems Associated with this Species
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
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Cooper, D. J. 1991. Additions to the peatland flora of the southern Rocky Mountains: habitat description and water chemistry. Madrono 38(2): 139-143.- Culver, D.R. 1994. Floristic analysis of the Centennial Region, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman. 199 pp.
- Fertig, W. and G. Jones. 1992. Plant communities and rare plant species of the Swamp Lake Botanical Area, Clark's Fork Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest. Unpublished report to the Shoshone National Forest. Challenge Cost Share Agreement No. CSA-2-91-14-0001. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. 113+ pp.
- Lesica, P. 1991. The Rare Vascular Plants of Pine Butte Swamp Preserve. Unpublished Report to the Nature Conservancy. 15 Pp.
- Lesica, P. and B. McCune. 1992. Monitoring the effects of global warming using peripheral rare plants in wet alpine tundra in Glacier National Park, Montana. Unpublished report to Glacier National Park, Research Division, West Glacier, Montana 59936. 55pp.
- Lesica, P., K. Lackschewitz, J. Pierce, S. Gregory and M. O'Brien. 1986. Noteworthy collections: Montana. Madrono 33:310-312.
- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
- Scott, R. W. 1966. The alpine flora of northwestern Wyoming. M.S. thesis. University of Wyoming, Laramie. 219 pp.
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