Carex spectabilis

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Poales

Familia: Cyperaceae
Subfamilia: Cyperoideae
Tribus: Cariceae
Genus: Carex
Species: Carex spectabilis
Name

Carex spectabilis Dewey, Amer. J. Sci. Arts 29: 248 (1836).
Synonyms

Heterotypic
Carex nigella Boott in W.J.Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 225 (1839).
Carex tolmiei Boott in W.J.Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 224 (1839).
Carex melastoma Fisch. ex Boott, Ill. Gen. Carex 2: 100 (1860).
Carex invisa L.H.Bailey, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 22: 82 (1887).
Carex tolmiei var. nigella (Boott) L.H.Bailey, Mem. Torrey Bot. Club 1(1): 47 (1889).
Carex tolmiei var. invisa (L.H.Bailey) Kük. in H.G.A.Engler (ed.), Pflanzenr., IV, 20(38): 412 (1909).
Carex spectabilis f. alpina Holm, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 4, 49: 202 (1920).
Carex spectabilis f. chrysantha Holm, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 4, 49: 202 (1920).
Carex spectabilis var. elegantula Holm, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 4, 49: 202 (1920).
Carex spectabilis var. gelida Holm, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 4, 49: 202 (1920).
Carex spectabilis var. superba Holm, Amer. J. Sci. Arts, ser. 4, 49: 202 (1920).

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Northern America
Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Yukon
Continental: Asia-Temperate
Aleutian Is., Kamchatka, Magadan

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Dewey, C. 1836. American Journal of Science, and Arts. New Haven, CT 29: 248, t. X, fig. 76.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Carex spectabilis in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 Feb 03. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2020. Carex spectabilis. Published online. Accessed: Feb 03 2020.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Carex spectabilis in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 Feb 03. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2020. Carex spectabilis. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 03 Feb 2020.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Carex spectabilis in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 13 Aug 2006.

Vernacular names
English: showy sedge

Carex spectabilis is a species of sedge known by the common name showy sedge.

Description

Carex spectabilis produces clusters of stems 50 to 90 centimeters in maximum height, sometimes from rhizomes. The inflorescence is an erect to heavily nodding cluster of flowers covered in dark purplish scales. The fruit is coated in a perigynium which is pale yellowish to dark purple to black.
Carex spectabilis clump at 11,000 ft (3,400 m)
Distribution

This sedge is native to northwestern North America from Alaska to the Northwestern United States, and in California and Utah. Carex spectabilis grows in moist mountain habitat in subalpine to alpine climates.
References

"Carex spectabilis". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2 June 2021.