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Alaska brownish sedge
Scientific Name: Carex brunnescens ssp. alaskana
Family: Cyperaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Carex brunnescens: Brownish Sedge
Carex brunnescens, commonly known as brownish sedge or Alaskan brown sedge, is a perennial plant belonging to the Cyperaceae (sedge) family.
Considerations for Pets
- Some sedges have sharp edges on their leaves.
- The text mentions the use of willow bark by lemmings, a food source that could be found near sedge plants.
Considerations for Children
- Some sedges have sharp edges on their leaves.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Carex brunnescens
- Common Names: Brownish sedge, Alaskan brown sedge
- Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
- Group: Monocot
- Taxonomic Rank: Subspecies (var. alaskana and ssp. brunnescens)
Distribution and Habitat
- Carex brunnescens is native to North America, including Alaska (AK) and Canada (CAN).
- It is found in wetland environments such as bogs and low-lying meadows.
Ecological Role
- It is an ecologically important wetland sedge in Alaska.
- Brown lemmings feed on sedges, among other things.
- It is a food source for the Greenland muskox, a race found in Alaska.
Morphological Characteristics
- It is a graminoid, meaning it resembles grass in appearance.
- The fruit is a dry, brown, one-seeded achene.
Quirky Facts
- The text mentions that brownish sedge is morphologically variable across its distribution and is considered threatened or endangered in some midwestern states.
Further Information
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Environment and Natural Resources Institute, University of Alaska Anchorage
- V.E. Pratt, Field Guide to Alaska Wildflowers (2009: Alaskakrafts Publishing)
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Universit di Trieste - Progetto Dryades