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taperfruit shortscale sedge

Scientific Name: Carex leptopoda

Family: Cyperaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Taperfruit Shortscale Sedge

Explore the details of Carex leptopoda, also known as Taperfruit Shortscale Sedge and Dewey's Sedge.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carex leptopoda Mack.
  • Common Names: Taperfruit Shortscale Sedge, Dewey's Sedge, Short Scale Sedge, Taper-fruit Short-scale Sedge
  • Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
  • Genus: Carex
  • Species: leptopoda
  • Synonyms:
    • Carex deweyana
    • Carex deweyana ssp. leptopoda
    • Carex deweyana var. leptopoda

Distribution and Habitat

  • Observed along Eagle Creek Trail, Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Herbaceous perennial.
  • Medium-sized, reaching up to 4 meters in height.
  • Green foliage in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
  • Loosely tufted growth habit.
  • Weak stems.
  • Flat, soft, thin leaves.
  • Terminal spike with female flowers on top.
  • Pistillate scales with whitish to stramineous margins, measuring 2.6-3.3 x 1.2-1.8 mm. Body measures (2.3-)2.7-3.8 mm, apex acuminate to short-awned, awn to 0.7 mm.

Ecological Role

  • May be found alongside stinging nettle in areas facing large-scale infestations.
  • Identified in vegetation within wetlands.

Further Information

  • Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Carex leptopoda.
  • Additional information may be available on Garden Guides.
  • Lost Prairie Area of Critical Environmental Concern Guidebook on ResearchGate.