| Carex glaucescens | |
|---|---|
| Carex glaucescens | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | Cyperales
|
| Family: | Cyperaceae
|
| Genus: | Carex
|
| Species: | C. glaucescens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Carex glaucescens Elliott
| |
Carex glaucescens is a perennial sedge that belongs to the family Cyperaceae[1]. The common name of this sedge is the “Southern Waxy Sedge” due to the blue-grey, waxy appearance of the sheaths and fruits[2][3]. The term “glaucus” means “gleaming” or “grey” in Latin[4]; the specific epithet of C. glaucescens is derived from this term. C. glaucescens is a native plant in North America and is an obligate wetland species in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal Plains, Eastern Mountains and Piedmont, and the Great Plains[1].
Description
editCarex glaucescens is a graminoid,[1] meaning they have a grass-like[2] appearance. This species begins blooming in the early summer months, and begins developing fruits into the late summer months around July and August[3][5]. C. glaucescens features a staminate spikelete at the top of the plant which fertilizes the pistillate spikelets below it[3]. The fruits are born on pendulous pistillate spikelets which are covered by translucent papillae, which gives the fruit sac its glaucous appearence[3][5]. Inside the fruit sac are ellipsoid achenes, the seed of the plant[3].
- ^ a b c "CAGL5". USDA. Cite error: The named reference "USDA" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b "Carex glaucescens". wildflower.org. LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER.
- ^ a b c d e "243. Carex glaucescens Elliott, Sketch Bot. S. Carolina. 2: 553. 1824". eflora.org. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
- ^ "glaucous". merriam-webster.com. Merriam Webster.
- ^ a b "Carex glaucescens". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. North Carolina State.