Torrey's Sedge - Carex torreyi
Other Names:
Carex abbreviata
Short-rhizomatous. Stems erect, 15–50 cm, tufted. Leaves basal and cauline, pubescent; blades 1–3 cm wide, pubescent. Inflorescence of 3 to 7 overlapping, short-pedunculate spikes; the lowest bract shorter or longer than the inflorescence. Spikes ascending; the uppermost male, 3–10 mm long; lower female, ovoid, 6–12 mm long. Perigynia ascending to spreading, green, obovoid, glabrous, veiny, ca. 3 mm long with a beak <0.5 mm long. Female scales ovate, short-awned, tan with hyaline margins, shorter than the perigynia. Achene 3-sided, filling the perigynium (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Mature fruit in June and July. In early July, most plants are in late fruit stage, with many fruits having already dispersed.
Moist meadows and woodlands on the plains.