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In a river-side marsh, this caric sedge might first be noticed by its relatively large green-to-black spike-like inflorescence, with long, bright green strap-like leaves growing from a clump below. There are about 70 varieties and species of Carex in Florida (Wunderlin, 1998). Stalk-grain sedge is widely dispersed throughout the U.S. and Canada (Kartesz, 1999).

Stalk-grain sedge is a sedge. Stems are clump-forming, to 3 ft. tall, stout, shorter than leaves; leaf blades to 3/8 in. wide, strap-like; sheaths loose, papery; inflorescence an irregularly branched cluster in the shape of a long spike; obviously toothed “beaks” are extensions of the perigynia; perigynia are sacs that enclose interior flower parts and fruit nutlet; nutlet is 2-sided.

View the herbarium specimen image from the University of Florida Herbarium Digital Imaging Projects.