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Sheathed Sedge - Carex vaginata
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Rare in Montana, where it is currently known from one area in the northwest corner of the state, which is at the southern edge of the species' range. Additional data on population levels and trends are needed.
General Description
Long-rhizomatous. Stems erect, 10–40 cm. Leaves glabrous, basal and lower-cauline; blades 2–4 mm wide. Inflorescence of 3 to 4 well-separated spikes; the lowest bract shorter than the inflorescence, sheathing. Spikes unisexual; the uppermost male, narrow, 1–2 cm long; the lower female, ascending, pedunculate, 1–3 cm long, cylindric. Perigynia ascending, green to brown, narrowly elliptic, glabrous, 3–5 mm long with a beak 0.5–1.2 mm long; stigmas 3. Female scales with a green midstripe and hyaline margins, shorter than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, nearly filling the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Phenology
Fruit mature in July.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Diagnostic characters of Carex vaginata include the rhizomatous habit, well-developed basal stem leaves, bracts with inflated sheaths, female flowers with 3 stigmas, and perigynia without hairs and with definite short beaks. A hand lens or microscope and technical key are needed for positive identification.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Circumboreal south to MT, WI and NY. Known only from Lincoln County (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 8
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Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Threat impact not assigned because threats are not known (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021).
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
Do you know of a citation we're missing?
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.
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