Cyperaceae of Alberta

Home , Amphiscirpus, Blysmus, Blysmus rufus, Bolboschoenus, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex adusta

AN ILLUSTRATED KEY TO THE CYPERACEAE OF ALBERTA

Compiled and writen by Linda Kershaw and Lorna Allen

April 2019

© Linda J. Kershaw & Lorna Allen This key was compiled using information primarily from and the Flora North America Association (2008), Douglas et al. (1998), and Packer and Gould (2017). Taxonomy follows VASCAN (Brouillet, 2015). The main references are listed at the end of the key. Please try the key this summer and let us know if there are ways in which it can be improved. Over the winter, we hope to add illustrations for most of the entries. The 2015 S-ranks of rare species (S1; S1S2; S2; S2S3; SU, according to ACIMS, 2015) are noted in superscript ( S1; S2;SU) after the species names. For more details go to the ACIMS web site. Similarly, exotic species are followed by a superscript X, XX if noxious and XXX if prohibited noxious (X; XX; XXX) according to the Alberta Weed Control Act (2016). CYPERACEAE SedgeFamily Key to Genera 1b 01a Flowers either ♂ or ♀; ovaries/achenes enclosed in a sac-like or scale-like structure 1a (perigynium) ...... Carex 01b Flowers with both ♂ and ♀ parts (sometimes some either ♂ or ♀); ovaries/achenes not in a perigynium ...... 02 02a Spikelets somewhat fattened, with keeled scales in 2 vertical rows, grouped in ± umbrella- shaped clusters; fower bristles (perianth) 2a absent ...... Cyperus 02b Spikelets round to cylindrical, with scales 2b spirally attached, variously arranged; fower bristles usually present ...... 03 03a Achenes tipped with a rounded protuberance (enlarged style-base; tubercle) ...... 04 03b Achenes without a tubercle (achenes 3a 3b often beaked, but without an enlarged protuberence) ...... 05 04a Spikelets single; stems leafess . .Eleocharis 04b Spikelets in 1-2 heads of 1-10 fowers each; stems with slender, bristle-like leaves; w of Edmonton and n of Athabasca ...... Rhynchospora capillacea S2 5a;6a 05a Bristles silky, ≥10-15X longer than the achene at maturity ...... 06 05b Bristles 1-8, not much elongated at maturity . 4b ...... 07 4a 06a Achenes 3-sided, with 10-25 minutely barbed 5b hairs; styles 3; leaves ≤400x6 mm ...... Eriophorum 06b Achenes 2-sided, with 6 smooth hairs; styles 2; leaves <20x1 mm Trichophorum (in part)

6b 07a Involucral bracts absent or single at the base of a clearly terminal spike, not leaf-like . . . . 08 07b Involucral bracts 1-many, leaf-like or resembling an extension of the stem with a side spike . 09 7a 08a Spikelets 5-8, in 2 vertical rows, crowded in a terminal spike ±1-2 cm long; achenes stalked, long-beaked; leaves in 2 vertical rows, 20-120 8a x 1-3 mm, reduced to scales at the stem base; Wood Buffalo s to Clearwater River ...... Blysmopsis rufa S2 [Blysmus rufus] 08b Spikelets single, ≤7 mm long, spirally arranged in compact spikes; achenes ±stalkless, 7b beakless or short-beaked; leaves <10 x 1 mm 8b ...... Trichophorum (in part)

3 09a Involucral bracts single, appearing as an extension of a leafess stem; fower cluster(s) appearing to grow from the side of the stem; 9a stems cylindrical or 3-angled/sided...... 10 10a 09b Involucral bracts ≥2, fat and spreading; fower cluster(s) clearly growing from the stem tip; stems 3-angled ...... 12 10a Stems stout, cylindrical; spikelets many, 9b usually in umbrella-shaped clusters ...... Schoenoplectus (in part) 10b Stems slender, 3-angled/sided; spikelets generally 1-5, stalkless ...... 11 11a Leaves stiffy erect; ligules edged with hairs; stems not sharply angled; achenes broadly rounded at the tip, covered with a network of raised veins (reticulate)...... 11b ...... Amphiscirpus nevadensis [Scirpus nevadensis] 11b Leaves often spreading; ligules not edged with hairs; stems sharply angled; achenes tipped with a short, abrupt point (apiculate), smooth sided ...... Schoenoplectus pungens [Scirpus pungens] 12a Spikelets >10 mm long, 2-12 in a head-like 11a or umbrella-shaped cluster; rootstocks with swollen joints; ligules absent ...... Bolboschoenus 12b Spikelets <8 mm long, numerous, in dense or repeatedly branched umbrella-shaped clusters; rootstocks without swollen joints; ligules present...... Scirpus

12a 12b ------BOLBOSCHOENUS Tuber-bulrush 01a Spikelets all or mostly stalkless; styles 2-branched; achenes 2-sided, 2.3-4.1 mm long, buoyant; stems 30-70 cm tall ...... Bolboschoenus maritimus [Schoenoplectus maritimus; Scirpus paludosus] 01b Spikelets all or mostly stalked; styles 3-branched; achene 3-sided, 3.8-5.5 mm long, 1a 1b not buoyant; stems mostly 100-150 cm tall; cAB ...... Bolboschoenus fuviatilis S1 [Schoenoplectus fuviatilis; Scirpus fuviatilis]

4 CAREX Sedge 01a Achenes enclosed in a scale-like perigynium open along 1 side; fowers with at least one group of 1 ♀ plus 1-3 ♂ fowers in the axil of 1 1a scale ...... 02 1b 01b Achenes enclosed in a sac-like perigynium with an opening at the tip through which the stigmas protrudes; fowers 1 per scale . . . . 03 02a Spikes simple, linear, 2-3 mm wide; leaves of previous year reduced to bladeless sheaths at fowering time ...... Carex myosuroides [Kobresia myosuroides] 02b Spikes compound, more egg-shaped, (2)3- 8 mm wide; leaves of the previous year with conspicuous dried blades at fowering time ...... Carex simpliciuscula 2a 2b [Kobresia simpliciuscula] 03a Spikelets 1 ...... Group 1 03b Spikelets >1 (sometimes densely clustered in a head) ...... 04 04a Stigmas 2; achenes 2-sided (lens-shaped to 3b 3a planoconvex) ...... Group 2 04b Stigmas 3(4); achenes 3(4)-angled/sided (mixed with 2-stigma/2-sided achenes in Carex petricosa) ...... Group 3

4b 4a ------GROUP 1 Single spikes 01a Spikes with ♂ fowers only ...... 02 01b Spikes with at least 1 ♀ fower ...... 03 02a Plant bases yellow to brown or black, arising singly or 2-3 together from long, thread-like 2b rootstocks; leaves inrolled, 0.3-0.7 mm wide ...... Carex gynocrates (in part) 1a 02b Plant bases reddish or purplish, tufted from short rootstocks; leaves fat or ± channelled, 2a 1-3 mm wide . . . . Carex scirpoidea (in part) 03a Stigmas 2; achenes 2-sided ...... 04 03b Stigmas 3(4); achenes 3-sided (rarely mixed with 2-stigma/2-sided achenes) ...... 08 4b; 5b 04a Spikes ♂ or ♀ (or nearly so; often with 1 ♀ fower at the base of a ♂ spike); scales of 3a ♀ fowers pointed; plants with long slender 3b rootstocks . . . . . Carex gynocrates (in part) 4a 04b Spikes with ♂ above ♀ fowers (androgynous); scales of ♀ fowers blunt-tipped; plants tufted or with short rootstocks ...... 05

05a Mature perigynia erect to ascending; plants with conspicuous, long-persistent, fbrous leaf bases ...... Carex nardina (in part) 05b Mature perigynia (at least the lowest) spreading or bent back; plants without conspicuous leaf 5a bases ...... 06

5 06a Mature perigynia ±glossy, without veins, 3-4(5) x 1-1.3 mm, stalked; stem bases without red . Carex micropoda [Carex pyrenaica] (in part) 06b Mature perigynia dull, with a few veins on the 7a outer/lower side, 2-4 x 1.5-1.8 mm, not stalked; stem bases reddish...... 07

07a Spikes 5-6 mm long, the ♂ part prominent; perigynia 2-4 mm long with a gradually tapered 7b beak ≤0.5 mm long ...... Carex capitata 07b Spikes usually <5 mm long, the ♂ part not 6a prominent; perigynia ±2 mm long, abruptly tapered to a 0.75 mm beak; reported but unconfrmed ...... Carex arctogena SNA 08a Perigynia hairy, at least on the beak ...... 09 08b Perigynia hairless ...... 10 09a Spikes with ♂ above ♀ fowers; leaves inrolled, 8a 8b 0.3-0.7 mm wide, with conspicuous brownish sheaths from the previous year; stem bases not red or purple; densely tufted plants of dry 9a plains and ridges...... Carex flifolia 09b Spike all ♀ (usually); leaves widely V-shaped, mostly 1.5-2.5 mm wide; stem bases red or 10a purple; loosely clumped to spreading plants of 9b moist sites ...... Carex scirpoidea (in part) 10a Scales of lower ♀ fowers ≥1 cm long, leaf-like; lower edges of ♂ fower scales fused . . . . . 11 10b Scales of lower ♀ fowers <1 cm long, not leafy; lower edges of ♂ fower scales free .13 10b 11a Perigynia (4.8)5-6(6.6) mm long, gradually tapered to a 2-3 mm beak (measured from the 11a tip to the top of the achene), loosely enveloping the achene; woodlands in c AB and the c to s cordillera ...... Carex backii (in part) 11b Perigynia (3.2)4-5(5.4) mm long, abruptly tapered to a 0.5-1.5 mm beak (tip to top of achene), tightly wrapped around the achene; not in c AB or n of Kananaskis ...... 12

12b 12a Leaves dark green to whitish coated with pale, translucent edges, smooth or rough on lower edges and midribs; perigynia minutely pimpled on the upper 1/3, rough to touch on the beak; achenes 2.5–3 mm long; se AB, Cypress Hills S1 12a ...... Carex saximontana (in part) 12b Leaves dull green to yellowish green, without a whitish coating, green at the edges, densely minutely pimpled (papillose) on the lower edges and midribs; perigynia smooth on body and beak; achenes 2.8–3.5 mm long; Crows- nest Pass . . . . Carex cordillerana S1 (in part) 13a ♀ scales shed before the perigynia mature; perigynia stalked, usually bent sharply back at maturity (at least the lowest ones) ...... 14 13b ♀ scales persistent; perigynia not bent sharply 13a 13b back at maturity ...... 17

6 → 15a 14a Perigynia straw-coloured, ≥4-6X as long as 14a wide; styles continuous with the achene. . .15 14b Perigynia dark-tinged, 1.5-4X as long as wide; styles jointed with the achene and soon shed; 15b alpine slopes ...... 16 15a Perigynia 3.5-4.5 mm long (excluding bristle), with a stiff bristle (rachilla) (→) projecting from the opening at the tip and exceeding the style; stem leaves 4-8; scales of upper ♀ fowers 2.4-3 mm long; mountain wetlands ...... Carex microglochin 15b Perigynia (5)6-7(7.8) mm long, without a 16a projecting bristle; stem leaves 2-3; scales of upper ♀ fowers 3.7-5.9 mm long; cAB bogs, n Rockies to boreal forest . . .Carex paucifora 16a Leaves fat, (1.5)2-4 mm wide; ♂ fowers numerous, conspicuous . . . Carex nigricans 16b Leaves inrolled, 0.25-1(1.5) mm wide; ♂ fowers few, inconspicuous ...... Carex micropoda [Carex pyrenaica] (in part) 16b 17a Plant bases red or purple ...... 18 17b Plant bases yellow, brown or black ...... 19 18a Perigynia leathery, glossy reddish- to 18a chocolate-brown, distinctly veined; spreading with long, purplish, scaly rootstocks; common 18b grassland species ...... Carex obtusata 18b Perigynia not leathery, brown to straw-colored, faintly nerved; loosely tufted; uncommon, high 19a alpine species ...... Carex rupestris 19a Perigynia round-tipped, beakless, many- nerved ...... Carex leptalea 19b Perigynia tapered to the tip, with or without a distinct beak ...... 20 20a Perigynia distinctly fne-veined, 3.5-4.5 mm long; leaves wiry, <0.5 mm wide with dense, persistent sheaths; dry alpine slopes throughout the AB cordillera ...... Carex nardina (in part) 20a 20b 20b Perigynia nerveless, very faintly veined or with ------2 veins along the edges, 5-7 mm long; leaves fat, 1.1-3.5 mm wide; montane woods in the Waterton area ...... Carex geyeri S2

GROUP 2 Multiple spikelets; 2 stigmas/ 2-sided achenes 01a Spikelets stalkless, usually <2x as long as 1a wide and without leafy bracts, with ♂ and ♀ fowers (rarely all ♀ or all ♂); basal leaf sheaths brown ...... 02 1b 01b Spikelets often stalked, usually ≥2x as long as wide, often with leafy bracts; uppermost spikelet ♂, or ♂ at the base and ♀ at the tip (gynaecandrous); basal leaf sheaths brown or red-tinged ...... 25 2a 2b

7 3a 3b 02a Uppermost spikelet ♀ at the tip and ♂ at the base (gynaecandrous) ...... 03 02b Uppermost spikelet ♂ at the tip and female at the base (androgynous) or entirely ♀ . . . . . 10 03a Edges of the perigynia fattened, with a wing ≥0.2 mm wide on the upper 1/2 at least (rarely 5a 0.1 mm wide) ...... 04 03b Edges of the perigynia rounded or slightly fattened (wings <0.1 mm wide) ...... 05 04a Lowest bract 5-25 cm long, ≥(3)5X as long as spikelet cluster . . . . . Carex sychnocephala 04b Lowest bract <5 cm long, ≤2X as long at the 5b spikelet cluster ...... Section Ovales (in part) Group 2A 05a Achenes nearly flling their perigynia; perigynia 4a rounded at the edges ...... Section Glareosae Group 2B 05b Achenes clearly smaller their perigynia; perigynia sharply angled or narrowly winged at the edges ...... 06 06a Lowest perigynia bent sharply back/down .07 06b Lowest perigynia erect to widely ascending . 08 6a 6b 07a Lowest perigynia (2.6)2.9-3.6(4) x (1.7)1.8-3.6 mm, gradually tapered to a 0.95-2 mm long beak (without an abruptly narrowed, shoulder area) ...... Carex echinata S1 7a 07b Lowest perigynia 1.9-3(3.3) x 1-2(2.2) mm, 7b convexly tapered to a 0.2-0.9 mm long beak with an abruptly narrowed, shoulder area...... Carex interior 08a Spikelet clusters compact and erect to arching and elongated, without a large gap between the 2 lowest spikelets and without a conspicuous, bristle-like bract at the base; perigynia not spongy based; Banff NP and Jasper NP ...... (Group 2A) Carex illota S1 08b Spikelet clusters arching and elongated, with 9a a large gap between the 2 lowest spikelets and with a 15-50 mm long, bristle-like bract at the base; perigynia distinctly spongy based within...... 09

8a 09a Ligule of the uppermost stem leaf mostly 0.9-2.2 mm long; spikelets (2)3-5; achenes (1.8)1.9-2.2 mm long; anthers 1.8-2.2 mm 8b long ...... Carex deweyana 09b Ligule of the uppermost stem leaf mostly (2.1)2.6-6.8 mm long; spikelets (4)5-6(7); achenes 1.6-2.2 mm long; anthers 1.3-1.8 mm long Carbondale River s to Waterton Lakes NP ...... Carex infrminervia S1

9b 10a Inner sides of the stem-leaf sheaths (at least the lower ones) with strong, horizontal wrinkles ...... 11 10b Inner sides of the stem-leaf sheaths smooth or 10a only very slightly wrinkled ...... 12 8 11a Stems stout, soft and easily fattened; perigynia 4-5 mm long, mostly >2X as long as wide, gradually tapered to a long beak, pale brown with 15 red-brown veins on the outer side ...... Carex stipata 11b Stems slender and frm, not easily fattened; perigynia 2-3.2 mm long, mostly ≤2X as long a wide, more abruptly narrowed to a beak, green to pale brown, with 0-3 veins on the outer side ...... Carex vulpinoidea

11a 12a Inner side of lower stem-leaf sheaths (at least 11b the lower ones) copper tinged or red- yellow- or black-dotted (especially near the upper edge)...... 13 12b Inner side of lower stem-leaf sheaths not as above ...... 14

13a 13a Stem-leaf sheaths pale with red, yellow or black dots near the top; spikelet clusters straight, dense or slightly open, dark brown; mature perigynia (2)2.3-2.5(2.9) mm long, shiny, convex, wide spreading, not covered by scales ...... Carex diandra 13b Stem-leaf sheaths copper-tinged at summit; spikelet clusters lax, open, pale brown; mature 13b perigynia (2.1)2.3-3(3.3) mm long, dull, pressed to the central stalk and covered by scales ...... Carex prairea 14a Perigynia with short (≤0.25 mm) smooth beaks, plump and shiny when mature, 1-3 per spikelet ...... Carex disperma 14b Perigynia with distinct beaks (>0.25 mm), often edged with barbs, >3 per spikelet . . .15 15a Stems and leaves tufted ...... 16 15b Stems and leaves arising singly from creeping 14a 14b rootstocks/stems ...... 17 16a Spiklets in round to oblong-egg-shaped heads 1-2 cm long, crowded; bracts absent or single, awl-shaped and <1/4 as long as the spikelet cluster; perigynia 3.2-5 mm long, with short- pointed scales ...... Carex hoodii 16b Spiklets in slender heads 2-5 cm long, with lower spikelets separate and the upper crowded; bracts well developed, often >1/2 as long as the spikelet cluster; perigynia 2.6-3.5 mm long, with strongly awned scales ...... Carex hookeriana

17a Spikelets crowded in round to egg-shaped heads, all with ♂ fowers at the tip and ♀ fowers at the base ...... 18 17b Lower spikelets separate and upper spikelets crowded, usually with ♂ fowers at the tip and ♀ fowers at the base but often with some 16a 16b unisexual (♂ or ♀) spikelets mixed in . . . . . 19

9 18a 18a Perigynia egg-shaped, (1.4)1.6-2.3(2.7) mm wide; scales of ♀ fowers with a wide, pale, semi-transparent edge, round to broadly egg- shaped, rounded or broad-pointed the tip...... Carex maritima 18b Perigynia football-shaped, usually 1-1.5 mm 18b wide; scales of ♀ fowers with a very narrow, pale, edge, slender- to broad-pointed the tip ...... Carex incurviformis 19a Stems arising from leaf axils of shallow, creeping stems (stolons) in peatlands; spikelets 2-5(7) in a compact spike 5-16 x 19a 4-12 mm ...... Carex chordorrhiza 19b Stems arising from deep-seated, spreading rootstocks in various habitats; spikelets 3-18, in compact to open, small to large spikes . . 20 19b 20a Upper leaf sheaths with green veins on the inner side (at least near the top), otherwise similar to the rest of the sheath; spikelet clusters 3-5 x 1 cm, dense, with ≥20 spikelets ...... Carex sartwellii 20b Upper leaf sheaths without green veins on the inner side but with a narrow, pale band extending at least half way to the sheath base; spikelet clusters not as above ...... 21

20a 21a Perigynia 4-6.5 mm long with several veins on the outer surface, edged with wings ±0.1 mm wide and tipped with 2 large, 0.5 mm teeth; spikelets crowded, with ♀ spikelets at the base, ♂ spikelets in the middle (usually), and the uppermost spikelet with ♂ above ♀ fowers or entirely ♀ ...... Carex siccata 21b Perigynia ± veinless, without wings, tipped with 2 tiny teeth (<0.2 mm or without teeth); 21a spikelets various ...... 22 22a Upper stems usually smooth to the touch, with rounded angles; shoots often in groups of 2-several, from slender, 0.6-1.9 mm thick rootstocks; dryland species ...... 23 22b Upper stems rough to touch (scabrous), with sharp edges; shoots usually single from 21b coarse, (1.5)1.8-3.5 mm thick rootstocks; wetland species ...... 24

23a Plants usually either ♂ or ♀ (dioecious), with 6-25 spikelets; perigynia 3-4.8 mm long with a 1-1.9 mm beak, shorter than the 4.3-7.5 mm, 23a pale brown to whitish scales; anthers 3-4 mm long ...... Carex douglasii 23b Plants with ♂ and ♀ fowers (monoecious) in 3-8 spikelets; perigynia 2.4-4.1 mm long with a 0.3-0.9 mm beak, ≥ the 2.4-4.1 mm, red- brown scales; anthers ≈2 mm long ...... 23b . . . . Carex duriuscula [Carex stenophylla]

10 24a Rootstocks black, 2-3 mm thick; perigynia (2.2)2.6-3.7 mm long, with a prominent, 0.7-1.2 mm beak ...... Carex praegracilis 24b Rootstocks brown, 1-2 mm thick; perigynia 1.8- 2.8 mm long with a short, 0.2-0.5 mm beak ...... Carex simulata 25a Perigynia smooth and shiny, with veins absent or weak and not reaching the beak; beak 0.4- 0.8 mm long; styles persistent on the achenes ...... Carex saxatilis 24a 24b 25b Perigynia usually minutely pimpled, if smooth then conspicuously veined with veins extending to the beak; styles weak, soon shed from the achenes ...... 26 25b 26a Central stalk of the spike minutely pimpled; uppermost spikelet all ♂ or with ♂ above ♀ fowers, if ♀ above ♂ then ♂ fowers much more numerous than ♀ fowers; side spikelets ≤2X as long as wide; mature perigynia broadly football-shaped to almost spherical, beakless or short-beaked, white or orange; lowest bract leafy (rarely scale-like), usually with a 25a sheathing base ...... 27 27a 26b Central stalk of the spike smooth; uppermost spikelet all ♂ or with ♀ above ♂ fowers and more ♀ fowers than ♂ fowers; side spikelets >2X as long as wide; bracts/perigynia not as above ...... 29 27a Mature perigynia orange; uppermost spikelet usually ♂ (sometimes a few ♀ fowers at the tip); side spikelets on slender, lax stalks, 28b attached (0.5)0.7-1.5 mm apart at mid-spike ...... Carex aurea 27b Mature perigynia white; uppermost spikelet tipped with ♀ fowers; side spikelets relatively dense, attached 0.2-0.7 mm apart at mid- spike ...... 28 28a 28a Lower <1/3 of the tip spikelet ♂ and 1.1-1.8 mm wide; ♀ scales black with a green midvein; s Jasper NP-n Banff NP . . . Carex bicolor S1 28b Lower ≥1/3 of the tip spikelet ♂ and 1.5-2.5 mm wide; ♀ scales pale to dark brown with a paler midvein ...... Carex garberi 29a 29a ♀ scales tipped with a prominent, 0.5 mm awn; perigynia leathery, 2.6-4 x 1.6-2.5 mm, tipped with 2 small 0.5 mm teeth ...... Carex nebrascensis [Carex nebraskensis] 29b ♀ scales widely to abruptly pointed but without a prominent awn; perigynia membranous. .30 30a Lowest bract longer than the spikelet cluster (usually ≥1.5X as long) ...... 31 30b Lowest bract ≤ spikelet cluster ...... 34

11 31a Plants forming colonies from deep rootstocks; 31a perigynia ± veinless, commonly with reddish brown dots; achenes glossy . Carex aquatilis 31b Plants tufted; perigynia veined, light green; 32a achenes dull ...... 32 32a Top spikelet tipped with ♀ fowers; lowest spikelet ≤1.5 cm long on a stalk <1 cm long; perigynia egg-shapped . . . Carex enanderi S1 ...... [Carex lenticularis var. dolia] 32a Top spikelet usually all ♂; lowest spikelet >1.5 33b cm long on a stalk >1 cm long; perigynia egg- to football-shaped ...... 33 33a 33a ♀ scales pale red-brown; perigynium stalk 0.1- 0.25 mm; beak green to pale brown, 0.1-0.25 mm; lowest bract white at the base ...... Carex lenticularis SNA 34a ...... [Carex lenticularis var. lenticularis] 33b ♀ scales red-brown to black; perigynium stalk 0.2-0.5 mm; beak red-brown, 0.1-0.5 mm; lowest bract red-brown at the base...... Carex kelloggii ...... [Carex lenticularis var. lipocarpa] 34a Scales spreading and clearly longer than the perigynia; mature perigynia infated; Waterton NP-Banff NP ...... Carex aperta S2 34b Scales pressed against and ≈ perigynia or slightly longer; mature perigynia not infated ...... Carex scopulorum 34b

Section Ovales ------GROUP 2A 01a Edges of the perigynia rounded or slightly fattened (wings <0.1 mm) ; Banff NP-Jasper NP ...... Carex illota S1 01b Edges of the perigynia fattened, with a wing ≥0.2 mm wide on the upper 1/2 at least (rarely 0.1 mm wide) ...... 02 02a Bracts leaf-like, much longer than the spike ...... Carex athrostachya 1a 2a 02b Bracts neither leaf-like nor conspicuously longer than the spike ...... 03 03a ♀ scales all ≥ the mature perigynia, usually covering the beaks (but not necessarily the bodies) ...... 04 03b ♀ scales < the mature perigynia (at least at mid spike), with tips narrower than the perigynia beaks and not covering them ...... 11 3a 04a Largest perigynia 6-8 mm long; spikelet clusters stiffy erect . Carex petasata (in part) 04b Largest perigynia 3-6(6.5) mm long; spikelet clusters erect, curved or nodding ...... 05

3b 4a

12 05a Perigynium beak tips usually clearly 2-toothed, fattened, edged with tiny barbs ...... 06 05b Perigynium beak tips squared or obliquely cut, 7a ± cylindrical, smooth edged (at least on the upper 0.3 mm) ...... 09 5a 06a ♀ scales clearly narrower than their perigynia, reddish brown ...... 07 7b 06b ♀ scales ± as wide as and covering their perigynia, whitish to reddish brown...... 08 5b 07a Spikelet clusters curved and nodding, with the lower spikelets well separated ...... Carex foenea [Carex aenea] 07b Spikelet clusters stiffy erect and compact, with all of the spikelets overlapping; Waterton NP ...... Carex tahoensis S1 8a 08a Scales reddish brown; achenes 1.6-2 mm wide ...... Carex adusta 08b Scales whitish to yellowish; achenes 1.2-1.4 mm wide ...... Carex xerantica 8b 09a Perigynia (3.7)4.5-6 x 1.2-2 mm long, ±3X as long as wide; spikelet clusters mostly open and nodding, the spikelets well separated; a common lowland species found throughout AB ...... Carex praticola [includes Carex platylepis] 09b Perigynia <4.5(5.2) mm long, ±2.5X as long as wide; spikelet clusters compact to open and nodding, with at least the upper spikelets overlapping; alpine-subalpine species found in the cordillera ...... 10 10a Spikelet clusters head-like, the lowest spikelets attached 1.5-4(4.8) mm apart; ♀ scales 2.7- 3.5(4) mm long; perigynia dark gold to coppery 9a brown ...... Carex macloviana (in part) 10b Spikelet clusters compact to somewhat elongated and arching, the lowest spikelets attached 4-10 mm apart; ♀ scales 3.7-5.1 mm long; perigynia greenish to pale brown ...... 10a ...... Carex phaeocephala

11a 11a Perigynium beaks fattened and edged with 11b tiny barbs ...... 12 11b Perigynium beaks cylindrical and ± smooth for at least the uppermost 0.2-0.6 mm ...... 17 12a Mature perigynia ± round, (2.6)3.4-4.8(5.2) x (2)2.3-3.2 mm, frm and ± leathery ...... Carex brevior 12b Mature perigynia awl- to egg-shaped, 1-2 mm wide, membranous ...... 13

13a Perigynia 2.6-4X as long as wide, awl- to lance-shaped; top of achene 2.2-5 mm from the beak tip ...... 14 12a 13b Perigynia <2.5X as long as wide, egg-shaped; 10b achene tip 0.8-2.2 mm from the beak tip . .15

13 14a Perigynia ±1 mm wide; achenes 0.6-0.7 mm wide; spikelet clusters dense, the lowest spikelets attached 2-3(5) mm apart ...... Carex crawfordii 14b Perigynia 1.2-2 mm wide; achenes 0.7-1.1 14b mm wide; spikelet clusters dense to open, the lowest spikelets attached 2-17 mm apart; in AB, Swan Hills and mountains s of Banff ...... Carex scoparia S2 14a 15a Tallest spikelet clusters ±3-5X as long as wide, often arching; lower spikelet bases (5)7-19 mm apart; achenes 1.3-1.6 mm . . . . Carex tenera 15b Tallest spikelet clusters ±1.5-3X as long as wide, erect; lower spikelet overlapping, bases 1-6(7.5) mm apart; achenes 1-1.3 mm . . . . 16 15a 16a Achenes 1-1.3 x 0.6-0.9 mm; perigynia clearly 3+-veined on lower/outer side and faintly 1- to 3-veined on the upper/inner side, 2.5-3.5(3.8) mm long ...... Carex bebbii 16b Achenes 1.3-1.6 x 0.9-1.2 mm; perigynia cleary 4- to 8+-veined on lower/outer side and 3- to 7-veined on the upper/inner side, 3.5-4.5(4.7) 16b mm long ...... Carex tincta 17a ♀ scales 5.8-7.6 mm long; larger perigynia 6-8 mm long ...... Carex petasata (in part) 17b ♀ scales 2.2-4.8 mm long; larger perigynia 2.8- 6(6.5) mm long ...... 18 16a 18a Perigynia (4)4.5-6.5 mm long; top of achene 2.6-3.8 mm from tip of beak; ♀ scales 3-4.8 mm long ...... Carex haydeniana 17a 18b Perigynia 2.8-4.8 mm; achene tip 1-2.5 mm 18a from beak tip; ♀ scales 2.2-3.7 mm long . .19 19a Mature perigynia pale green to straw-colored or golden brown, contrasting with the much darker scales ...... 20 19b Mature perigynia dark gold or coppery brown to brownish black, similar to the scales . . . . .21 20a Perigynia fattened, except where distended by the achene, often with 1-2 horizontal folds across the upper/inner side; achenes 1.1-1.6 x 20a 0.7-1.2 mm, 2-sided . . . . . Carex microptera 20b Perigynia thick, convex on 1 or both sides, without folds; achenes 1.5-2 x 1-1.5 mm, often 4-sided ...... Carex preslii

21a Perigynium tip plus the upper split of the beak and the edges of the ♀ scales all pale and translucent; perigynium wings darker than the 20b body; moist alpine habitats ...... Carex macloviana (in part) 21b 21b Perigynium tips and ♀ scale edges not pale and translucent, the upper split in the beak brown or blackish; perigynium wings and body similar in color (sometimes a dark narrow strip on the outer wing edges); moist lowland to 21a alpine habitats...... Carex pachystachya

14 GROUP 2B Section Glareosae/Heleonastes 01a Lowest bract bristle-like, 3-10 cm long, much 1a > the adjacent spikelet; spikelets 1-3, (1)2- to 5-fowered, 2-4 cm apart . . . Carex trisperma 01b Lowest bract short-none; spikelets several- 2a fowered, the upper ones close together. . .02 02a Perigynia ± beakless; scales thin, white and translucent; plants loosely tufted ...... 03 02b Perigynia long- to short- beaked; scales green or brown; plants loose to dense tufted . . . .04 2b 03a Spikelets crowded in heads; perigynia grey- green, faintly veined ...... Carex tenuifora 03b Spikelets widely spaced (lowest ≥1 cm apart); perigynia pale green, conspicuously veined ...... Carex loliacea 04a Perigynia egg-shaped, widest near the base, 3a with a long, barbed beak; spikelets 5-15, 3b crowded; n foothills to Caribou Mountains and Wood Buffalo NP ...... Carex arcta S2 04b Perigynia widest near the middle, with a short, smooth-edged beak; spikelets 2-9 ...... 05 05a Spikelets 2-4, crowded; scales chestnut or reddish-tinged ...... 06 05b Spikelets 3-9, the lower ones (at least) widely spaced; scales usually thin and translucent, pale green to brown-tinged ...... 07 6a 06a Leaves green; upper stem ± smooth; perigynia prominently beaked, brownish green to yellowish . Carex lachenalii [Carex bipartita] 06b Leaves grey-green; upper stem rough with 4a tiny barbs; perigynia short beaked, greyish green to brown ...... Carex heleonastes 07a Top spikelet club-shaped, ♂ for ≥1/2; stems smooth, scattered on slender rootstocks; 6b ♀ scales red-brown, ≥ and concealing the perigynia; unconfrmed . Carex mackenziei SNA 07b Top spikelet not club-shaped, ♂ for <1/2; stems rough above, tufteds; ♀ scaleswhite to silvery brown, shorter than perigynia . . . . .08 7a 08a Perigynia 3-10/spike, loose spreading, the beak with a conspicuous asymmetric split on the upper/inner side; leaves (0.5)1-2 mm wide, green to yellowish green ...... Carex brunnescens 08b Perigynia 10-30/spike, pressed inward or ascending, very short beaked; leaves mostly 2-4 mm wide, usually grey-green ...... 09

09a Leaves (1.5)2-4 mm wide; perigynia 1.8-3 mm long, with tiny barbs along the edge of the beak . . . . . Carex canescens [Carex curta] 09b Leaves 1-2 mm wide; perigynia 1.7-2.1 mm long with smooth edges on the beak ...... 9a 9b 8a ...... Carex lapponica

15 GROUP 3 Multiple spikelets; 3(4) stigmas/3(4)-sided achenes 01a Perigynium body hairy or granular-roughened with bumps longer than wide; styles jointed with achene and soon shed ...... 02 01b Perigynium body hairless; styles persistent or soon shed ...... 11 02a Bracts of lowest spikelets (excluding far-distant 1a 1b basal spikelets) with a well-developed sheath ≥4 mm long ...... 03 02b Bracts of the lowest spikelets with sheaths 0-<4 mm long ...... 07 03a Bracts of the lowest, non-basal spikelets with blades ≥3 mm long; perigynia 3- to 9-veined on the outer/lower side, tapered to an indistinct beak, often with short, stiff hairs (sometimes on veins only)...... Carex petricosa (in part) 03b Bracts of the lowest, non-basal spikelets with blades 0-2 mm long ...... 04 04a Most ♀ spikelets on long (≤13 cm), slender 3a 4a stalks from near the stem base; ♀ scale tips abruptly narrowed and awned; perigynia 3.5-6 mm long; fowering stems mostly shorter than the dark green leave; c AB, Drayton Valley to Pigeon Lake ...... Carex pedunculata S1 04b ♀ spikelets short-stalked or stalkless, from stem joints; ♀ scales tapered to a point, not awned; perigynia <3.5 mm long; fowering stems longer than the pale green leaves . .05 05a ♂ spikelets <7 mm long; anthers <2 mm long; plants densely tufted with short rootstocks ...... Carex concinna 05b ♂ spikelets mostly >10 mm long; anthers 5a >2 mm long; plants loosely tufted with long rootstocks ...... 06 06a Stigmas 3, bending, thin, strongly minutely pimpled; ♀ spikelets widely separated; lowest 6a spikelets with long (to 7 cm) stalks and long bract sheaths ...... Carex richardsonii 06b Stigmas 4, erect or coiled, thick, weakly minutely pimpled; ♀ spikelets crowded; lowest spikelets with short stalks and short bract sheaths . . . . . Carex concinnoides (in part)

07a Plants mostly 5-30 cm tall, in uplands habitats; ♀ spikelets <1 cm long with <20 perigynia . 08 07b Plants mostly 30-130 cm tall, in wetland or upland habitats; ♀ spikelets >1.5 cm long with >30 perigynia ...... 09

08a Stigmas 4; blades of upper stem leaves (often 6b 8a near the base) 0-1 cm long, ≤ their sheaths ...... Carex concinnoides (in part) 08b Stigmas 3; blades of upper stem leaves >2 cm long, > their sheaths ...... Section Acrocystis [Montanae] Group 3A

16 09a Plants of dry, sandy/gravelly sites; perigynia 10a (4.5)5-6.5 mm long, sparsely short-hairy, distinctly veined . . . . . Carex houghtoniana 09b Wetland plants; perigynia 2.8-4.5(5.2) mm 9a long, densely hairy, obscurely veined . . . . . 10 10a Leaf blades fat, (2)2.5-6 mm wide, without a slender, thread-like tip, the midvein forming a sharp, prominent keel for much of its length ...... Carex pellita [Carex lanuginosa] 10b Leaf blades inrolled, 0.7-2(2.2) mm wide, often with a curled, thread-like tip, the midvein low and rounded, not forming a prominent keel ...... Carex lasiocarpa

10b 11a Leaf sheaths hairy, at least near the top of the inner side ...... 12 11b Leaf sheaths hairless, sometimes minutely pimpled ...... 13 12a 12a Leaves 3-10 mm wide; perigynia (6.5)7-12 x 1.8-3.8 mm tipped with a 2-4 mm beak with 2 spreading, (1.2)1.5-3 mm teeth ...... Carex atherodes 12b Leaves 1.5-3 mm wide; perigynia 2.2-3.2 x 1.5-2.2 mm tipped with a 0.2-0.4(1) beak 12b without teeth ...... Carex torreyi 13a Lowest bract of the spikelet cluster with a sheath >4 mm long, clearly longer than the stem diameter ...... 14 13b Lowest bract of the spikelet cluster (excluding far-distant side spikelets near the stem base) sheathless or with a sheath <4 mm long and/ 14a or shorter than the stem is wide ...... 23

13a 14a Lower bracts bladeless; leaves <1 mm wide; ♀ spikelets overtopping the ♂ spikelets . . . . . 13b ...... Carex eburnea 14b Lower bracts with distinct blades; leaves often >1 mm wide; ♀ spikelets not overtopping the ♂ spikelets ...... 15 15a Perigynia black or black mottled (at least near the top), even when immature; mountain species ...... 16 16a 15b Perigynia yellow to dark brown when mature, not black or black-mottled; lowland or mountain species ...... 17

16a Tip spikelet with ♀ above ♂ fowers; side 16b spikelets ♀; Jasper NP to Kakwa ...... Carex fuliginosa S2 [Carex misandra] 16b Tip spikelet usually with ♂ above ♀ fowers; upper side spikelets ♂ or with ♂ above ♀ fowers ...... Carex petricosa (in part) 17b 17a 17a Perigynium beak tipped with 2 distinct teeth >0.2 mm long ...... 18 17b Perigynium beak blunt tipped or with 2 tiny (<0.2 mm) teeth ...... 20

17 18a ♀ spikelets nodding on long, slender stalks; ♀ scales lance-shaped, tapered to a slender point, green, white or brown, often ≈ perigynia; perigynium beak ≈ the body length ...... Carex sprengelii (in part) 18b ♀ spikelets erect to ascending, stalkless; ♀ scales egg-shaped, broadly pointed to abruptly short-pointed, reddish or yellow, much shorter than perigynia; perigynium beak ≤1/3 of the 19a body length ...... 19

18a 19a Mature perigynia 3.5-6 mm long, with beaks 1/2-3/4 the body length, yellowish, some or all bent sharply back/down; mountains, north to Jasper ...... Carex fava S2S3 19b Mature perigynia 2-3.5 mm long, beaks ≤1/2 the body length, greenish, spreading to ascending ...... Carex viridula 19b 20a ♀ spikelets linear, nodding/hanging, on hair- like stalks; perigynia 2-veined; stems and leaves tufted from short rootstocks ...... Carex capillaris 21a 20b ♀ spikelets oblong or linear, erect to ascending; perigynia several-veined (sometimes obscurely); stems and leaves single or few together from long, creeping rootstocks . . .21

20a 21a Perigynia rounded at the base, ± round in cross-section; achenes loosely enveloped by perigynia ...... Carex crawei 21b Perigynia tapering at the base, triangular in cross-section; achenes closely enveloped by the perigynia ...... 22 22a Perigynia beakless, densely minutely pimpled; ♀ spikelets usually close together; lower spikelet stalks rarely long; leaves grey-green, 22b with a pale, whitish coating . . . . . Carex livida 22b Perigynia with a beak ±1 mm long, not minutely pimpled; ♀ spikelets usually wide spaced; lower spikelet stalks long; leaves without a pale coating ...... Carex vaginata 23a Scales of the lower ♀ fowers ≥1 cm long, leaf-like; scales of ♂ fowers with lower edges 22a fused ...... 24 23b Scales of the lower ♀ fowers <1 cm long, not leafy; scales of ♂ fowers with lower edges free ...... 26

24a Perigynia (4.8)5-6(6.6) mm long, gradually tapered to a 2-3 mm beak (from the tip to the top of the achene), loosely enveloping the achene; woodlands in c AB and the c to s cordillera ...... Carex backii (in part) 24b Perigynia (3.2)4-5(5.4) mm long, abruptly tapered to a 0.5-1.5 mm beak (tip to top of achene), tightly enveloping the achene; not in c AB or n of Kananaskis ...... 25 24a

18 25a Leaves dark green to green with a whitish coating, pale and translucent at edges, smooth or rough to touch on lower edges and midribs; perigynia minutely pimpled on the upper 1/3 and rough to touch on the beak; achenes 2.5– 3 mm long; se AB, Cypress Hills...... Carex saximontana S1 (in part) 25b Leaves dull green to yellowish green, no whitish coating, green at edges, densely minutely pimpled on lower edges and midribs; 25b perigynia smooth; achenes 2.8–3.5 mm long; Crowsnest Pass . . . Carex cordillerana S1 (in 25a part) 26a Roots (especially young ones) with a yellow- brown, felty covering; spikelets nodding on long, slender stalks; perigynia greyish green densely minutely pimpled, round-tipped or very short beaked ...... 27 26a 26b Roots without a yellow-brown, felty covering; spikelets and perigynia not as above . . . . .28 27b 27a ♀ scales 1.2-2 mm wide, narrower than the perigynia, at least some in each spikelet tipped with a 1.5-12 mm awn; lowest bract leaf-like, often longer than the spikelet cluster ...... Carex magellanica [Carex paupercula] 27b ♀ scales 2-3.4 mm wide, wider than the perigynia, without awns; lowest bract usually bristle-like, shorter than the spikelet cluster ...... Carex limosa 28a Plants relatively small and delicate, ±5-20(30) 27a cm tall with leaves 1-2 mm wide; spikelets with ±3-8 fowers; lowest bracts inconspicuous, scale-like or with a thread-like blade...... 29 28b Plants relatively robust (20)30-50+ cm tall with leaves 2-15 cm wide; spikelets usually >8-fowered; lowest bracts conspicuous, ± leaf-like ...... 30 29a Plants in small, loose tufts from long, spreading rootstocks; perigynia yellowish green to brown, 2.5-3.3 x 1.2-2 mm; ♂ scales light brown, 3-4.5 mm long . Carex supina S1 29b Plants in dense tufts from short rootstocks; perigynia reddish black to dark brown (at 29a least towards the tip), 1.5-2.5 x 0.9-1.2 mm; ♂ scales reddish black to dark brown, 2-3 mm long ...... Carex glacialis

30a Perigynia 4.5-6.5 x 1.2-2 mm, abruptly slender beaked with a beak as long as the body, nerveless except for 2 side veins; spikelets nodding/hanging on slender stalks; leaves without horizontal links (septae) between veins, densely covered at the base with fbres 29b of old leaves . . . . Carex sprengelii (in part) 30b Perigynia and spikelets not as above; leaves 30a often with horizontal links between the veins, without fbres from old leaves at the base .31

19 31a 31a Styles jointed with achenes, relatively delicate, soon shed; perigynia nerved or not ...... 32 31b Styles continuous with the achenes (of the 31b same colour and texture), frm, persistent; perigynia strongly nerved/ribbed...... 35 32a Mature achenes ± flling the perigynia; basal leaves usually with well-developed blades 32a (phyllopodic), occasionally reduced ...... Section Racemosae [Atratae, in part] Group 3B 32b Mature achenes flling ≤½ of the perigynia; leaves reduced to bladeless sheaths at the base, with blades gradually larger upwards on the stem (aphyllopodic)...... 33

32b 33a Perigynia smooth, broadly egg-shaped to round; mountains, north to Jasper ...... Carex paysonis S2 33b Perigynia narrowly to moderately egg-shaped, 33a minutely pimpled ...... 34 34a Side spikelets nodding on long, slender stalks; scales broadly pointed at the tip, with an indistinct midvein; perigynia (2)3-3.5 mm long ...... Carex podocarpa 34b Side spikelets mostly erect to spreading on short stalks; scales abruptly narrowed to 34a a long, slender point, with a conspicuous midvein; perigynia 3.5-5 mm long ...... 34b ...... Carex spectabilis 35a ♀ scales tipped with a rough-to-touch awn and often edged with hairs; lower spikelets nodding/hanging on long, slender stalks . .36 35b ♀ scales without awns, smooth-edged; lower spikelets mostly erect to ascending ...... 37 36a Perigynia thin-walled and somewhat infated, ± round in cross-section, pointing upward or 36a outward at maturity, tipped with teeth 0.3-0.9 mm long; cAB ...... Carex hystericina S2 36b Perigynia stiff, leathery, not infated, fattened- triangular in cross-section, pointing back/ downward at maturity, tipped with teeth 0.7- 1.2(1.4) mm long. . . . Carex pseudocyperus 36b 37a Perigynia dull, leathery, not infated, 14- to 28-nerved ...... Carex lacustris 37b Perigynia shiny, membranaceous (leathery in Carex oligosperma), somewhat infated, 6- to 10(15)-nerved ...... 38

37a 38a Leaves wiry, inrolled, (0.5)1-3 mm wide; ♀ spikelets round to short oblong, 5-15-fowered ...... Carex oligosperma 38a 38b Leaves fat to W-shaped (in cross-section), (1.5)3-12(15) mm wide; ♀ spikelets oblong to cylindric, >15-fowered ...... 39

20 39a Lowest bract (excluding bracts of isolated spikelets near the stem base) (2.5)3-9X longer than the spikelet cluster; ♂ spikelet 1(rarely 2-3), slightly or not at all extending beyond the lower ♀ spikelets; mature perigynia bent sharply back/down ...... Carex retrorsa 39b Lowest bract ≤2.5X as long as the spikelet cluster; ♂ spikelets 2-4(5), extending well beyond the lower ♀ spikelets; mature 39a perigynia pointing upwards or outwards . . . 40 40a Leaves pale green, strongly minutely pimpled on the upper/inner surface, U-shaped in cross- section, mostly 1.5-4.5(7.5) mm wide; ligules 40a as long as wide; stems cylindrical to 3-sided, smooth near the top; spreading rootstocks present ...... Carex rostrata 41b 40b Leaves pale to dark green, smooth or rough 41a on the upper/inner surface (not pimpled), fat or folded lengthwise, mostly (2.5)5-12(15) mm wide; ligules shorter to longer than wide; stems 3-sided, rough-to-touch near the top; spreading rootstocks present or not ...... 41 41a Plants colonial, sending up shoots from creeping rootstocks; widest leaves 4.5-12(15) mm wide; ligules as long as wide; perigynia elliptic to ± round, abruptly narrowed to a beak, spreading at maturity Carex utriculata 41b Plants tufted, with short rootstocks; widest ------leaves 1.8-6.5 mm wide; ligules longer than wide; perigynia narrowly egg-shaped, gradually tapered to a beak, ascending at maturity ...... Carex vesicaria S1

GROUP 3A Section Acrocystis [Montanae]

1a 01a Flowering stems all elongated with spikelets clustered near the top (not included within basal leaf-sheaths) ...... 02 01b Flowering stems of various lengths, the 1b longer stems usually with ♂ and ♀ spikelets clustered near the top, the shorter stems ± nestled among the basal leaf-sheaths and often entirely ♀ ...... 04 02a Perigynium bodies ± spherical; ♀ scales ± as long as the perigynia...... 2a ...... Carex inops [Carex pensylvanica] 3a 02b Perigynium bodies football-shaped to narrowly egg-shaped; ♀ scales much shorter than the perigynia ...... 03

03a Flowering stems relatively robust, 20-45 cm long, clearly longer than the leaves; perigynia 3.2-4.2 mm long; achenes 1.9-2.4 mm long ...... Carex peckii 03b Flowering stems relatively delicate, 5-30 cm long, mostly ≤ the leaves; perigynia 2.3-3.1 mm long; achenes 1.3-1.6 mm long ...... 3b ...... Carex defexa (in part)

21 04a Bracts of lowest spikelets scale-like, usually shorter than the fower cluster; ♀ scales ≥ than the perigynia; tufts of stiff fbres (remnants of old leaves) at stem base ...... 05 04b Bracts of lowest spikelets leaf-like, ≥ the fower cluster; ♀ scales shorter than the perigynia; tufts of stiff fbres (remnants of old leaves) at 5b stem base absent; ...... 06

5a 05a Perigynia 3.1-4.7 mm long with a beak (0.9)1- 2 mm long, hairless except for a few hairs near the base of the beak ...... Carex tonsa 05b Perigynia 2.2-3.2 mm long, with a beak 0.4-1 mm long, hairy on the beak and body...... Carex umbellata 06a Stems loosely tufted from slender rootstocks, thin, arching or spreading, smooth except near the spikelets; perigynia 2.3-3.1 mm long, with a 0.4-0.8 mm long beak tipped with teeth 0.1- 6a 6b 0.2 mm long; achenes 1.3-1.6 x 1-1.4 mm ...... Carex defexa (in part) ------06b Stems densely tufted from stout rootstocks, ascending, rough to touch; perigynia 3.1-4.5 mm long, with a 0.7-1.7 mm long beak tipped with teeth 0.2-0.4 mm long; achenes 1.9-2.4 x 1.3-1.7 mm ...... Carex rossii

1a 1b Group 3B Section Racemosae [Atratae, in part] 01a Tip spikelet ♂ ...... 02 2b 01b Tip spikelet ♀ (often with ♂ fowers at the base) ...... 03

2a 02a Side spikelets always present and all ≈ the tip spikelet in length; perigynia smooth, broadly elliptic to egg-shaped, 3.5-4.5 x 1.75-2 mm with a 0.3-0.5 mm beak . . .Carex raynoldsii 02b Lower side spikelets absent or much smaller than the tip spikelet; perigynia minutely pimpled, footfall-shaped, 2-2.5 x 1-1.5 mm, with a ≤0.2 mm beak Carex parryana (in part) 03a Spikelets short-stalked or stalkless, forming a dense head; achenes ± flling the perigynia; scales purple-black; perigynia 2-3.5 mm long, smooth-edged ...... Carex media [Carex norvegica] 3a 03b Spikelets relatively long-stalked, not in dense heads; achenes not flling perigynia; scales and perigynia various ...... 04

04a Lower spikelets pointing out and/or down; perigynia smooth or minutely pimpled, achene ± flling lower 1/2 ...... 05 04b Lower spikelets pointing upward; perigynia 4b minutely pimpled, achene nearly flling the perigynia ...... 07 22 05a Spikelets 4-9; mature perigynia light green, smooth, egg-shaped, widest below the middle, 4-5 mm long, fnely 3-veined; scales much shorter than the perigynia; n foothills and mountains ...... Carex mertensii S2 O5b Spikelets 3-6; mature perigynia dull green, brown or black, smooth or minutely pimpled, 6a broadly elliptic to egg-shaped, widest at or above the middle, 2.5-4 mm long, without veins; scales ≈ perigynia in length ...... 06 6b 06a Perigynia minutely pimpled, broadly elliptic or egg-shaped, 2.5-3 x 1.5-1.75 mm...... 5a . . . . Carex atratiformis [Carex raymondii] 06b Perigynia smooth, circular to broadly egg- shaped, widest above the middle, 3.5-4 x 2-3 mm; Waterton NP ...... Carex epapillosa S1 [Carex heteroneura]

8a 07a Side spikelets varied, mostly shorter than 7a the tip spikelet; perigynia minutely pimpled, footfall-shaped, 2-2.5 x 1-1.5 mm, with a ≤0.2 mm beak ...... Carex parryana (in part) 07b Side spikelets ± as long as the tip spikelet; perigynia smooth or minutely pimpled, 2.5-4 x 1.5-2.5 mm ...... 08 08a ♀ scales egg-shaped to broadly lance- shaped, blunt tipped . . . . Carex atrosquama 08b ♀ scales lance-shaped, pointed at the tip . . 09 09a ♀ scales abruptly narrowed to a long, slender 9a 9b point; perigynia gray green, 2.5-4 x 1.5-2 mm, ------with a beak 0-0.2 mm long Carex buxbaumii 09b ♀ scales wide pointed or abruptly narrowed to a short, slender point; perigynia dark chestnut brown, 3-3.5 x 2-2.5 mm, with a beak 0.3-0.4 mm long ...... Carex albonigra

CYPERUS Flatsedge 01a Plants 1-15 cm tall, annual, with fbrous roots; leaves 1-2 mm wide; scales 1.3-2.2 × 0.5- 1 mm, tipped with an outward-curved awn; stamens 1; grasslands, Sullivan Lake so to U.S...... Cyperus squarrosus S2 1a 1b [Cyperus infexus] 01b Plants (10)20-70 cm tall, perennial, with ------corm-like thickenings on short rootstocks; leaves 2-6 mm wide; scales 2.3-3.2 × 2-3.2 mm, tipped with a short erect awn or point; stamens 3 ...... Cyperus schweinitzii

ELEOCHARIS Spikerush 01a Plants forming low (mostly 5-10 cm tall) dense mats from slender (0.25-0.5 mm thick) rootstocks; achenes with 8-12 lengthwise ribs and 30-60 fne, horizontal lines between ribs ...... Eleocharis acicularis 1a 01b Plants mostly tufted, rootstocks thicker or absent; achenes without lengthwise ribs . .02

23 02a Achenes 3-sided, tapered to a thick ‘beak’ similar to and merging with the tubercle; spikelets with 4-12 foral scales; spreading rootstocks present, often tipped with buds .03 02b Achenes 2- or 3-sided, with a distinct tubercle; 2a spikelets with 5-500 scales; spreading rootstocks absent or without buds; ...... 04

2b 03a Lowest foral scale with a fower (rarely empty); bristles (0)3-6, often varied, tiny to equalling the tubercle; resting buds (bulbs) often present at stem bases and on rootstocks ...... Eleocharis quinquefora 03b Lowest foral scale usually empty (without a fower); achene bristles 6, all similar, equalling the achene to surpassing the tubercle; resting buds absent . . . . . Eleocharis suksdorfana 3a 04a Achenes 3-sided; styles 3-branched...... 05 04b Achenes 2-sided; styles 2-branched...... 07 3b 05a Plants annual, densely tufted; tubercles ≤1/4 as long as the achenes; bristles often absent, when present small, rarely slightly exceeding the tubercles; montane zone and grasslands ...... Eleocharis engelmannii S2 4a 4b [Eleocharis ovata, in part] 05b Plants perennial, forming mats from creeping rootstocks; tubercles >1/4 as long as the achenes; bristles exceeding tubercles . . . .06 06a Floral scales notched or 2-toothed at the tip, those at mid-spike with a translucent, 0.6-1.5 mm long tips; stems ≤1.8 mm wide, 2-5X as wide as thick (fattened); rootstocks 2-3 mm thick, with joints ≤2 mm apart ...... Eleocharis compressa S1 5a; 8a 06b Floral scales rounded to notched at the tip, those at mid-spike with a translucent, 0.2-0.7 mm long tip; stems ≤0.8 mm wide, ± cylindrical, 1-2(3)X as wide as thick; rootstocks 0.5-2.5 6b mm thick, with joints 2-10 mm apart ...... Eleocharis elliptica [Eleocharis ovata, in part] 07a Plants annual, densely tufted; tip of the uppermost leaf sheath tapered to a narrow/ slender point ...... 08 07b Plants perennial, with creeping rootstocks; tip of the uppermost leaf sheath squared to broadly pointed ...... 09 8b 6a 08a Tubercles ≤1/4 as long as the achenes; bristles absent or small, rarely slightly exceeding the tubercles; montane zone and grassland ...... Eleocharis engelmannii S2 [Eleocharis ovata, in part] 08b Tubercles >1/4 as long as the achenes; bristles usually much exceeding the tubercles (sometimes equalling, rarely shorter or absent); in AB, known only from Round Hill ...... Eleocharis ovata S1

24 09a Upper leaf sheaths (at least some) tipped with a distinct, abrupt tooth ...... 10 09b Upper leaf sheaths all without an abrupt tooth at the tip ...... 11 10a Lowest spikelet scale clasping (2/3)3/4 (rarely all) of the stem; spikelets 5-40 x 2-5 mm; some (rarely all) sub-basal scales empty (without 9a a fower); stems usually distinctly fattened; upper leaf sheaths not usually infated; achenes smooth or very fnely wrinkled (at 10- 20X magnifcation) ...... Eleocharis macrostachya (in part) 10b Lowest spikelet scale encircling all of the stem; spikelets 3-18 x 2-3(4) mm; sub-basal scales all with a fower; stems cylindrical; upper leaf sheaths usually infated; achenes wrinkled (visible at 10X) ...... Eleocharis erythropoda (in part) 10b 11a Lowest spikelet scales clasping ±2/3(3/4) of the stem; sub-basal scales empty (without 10a; 13a fowers) ...... 12 11b Lowest scales clasping ≥3/4 of the stem; sub- basal scales with or without fowers ...... 13 12a Achenes with (4)5-6(8) bristles exceeding the tubercle; tubercles stalkless, not borne on a narrowed neck at the tip of the achene; stems 10-50 cm tall; c AB, at a site near Glenevis ...... Eleocharis mamillata S1 12b Achenes with (0)1-4 bristles ≤ the length of the tubercle (rarely longer); tubercles often ‘stalked’ on a narrow neck at the tip of the achene; stems 30-110 cm tall; common throughout AB ...... Eleocharis palustris 13a Lowest spikelet scale clasping (2/3)3/4 (rarely 12b all) of the stem; sub-basal scales of some 12a spikelets empty (without a fower); stems usually distinctly fattened ...... Eleocharis macrostachya (in part) 13b Lowest spikelet scale encircling all of the stem; sub-basal scales all with a fower; stems cylindrical ...... 14 14a Floral scales at mid-spike ≤1.8 mm wide, attached 4-5/mm on the central stalk; upper leaf sheaths usually infated ...... Eleocharis erythropoda (in part) 14b Floral scales at mid-spike 1.8-2.5 mm wide, attached 2-4/mm on the central stalk; upper leaf sheaths not usually infated ...... 14b ...... Eleocharis uniglumis 14a

25 ERIOPHORUM Cottongrass 01a Spikelets solitary; lowest scales usually empty but often enlarged; leafy bract(s) absent; stem leaves bladeless or blades <1 cm long . . . . 02 01b Spikelets ≥2, clustered to nodding on slender stalks; lowest scales usually with fowers; leafy bract(s) present; stem leaf blades ≥1 cm . .06 1b 02a Stems solitary or few together from creeping rootstocks; empty lower scales ≤7 ...... 03 1a 02b Stems tufted, without creeping rootstocks; empty lower scales mostly 10-15 ...... 04 3a 03a Anthers 0.5-1.5 mm long; bristles bright white; scales lead-colour to black with narrow (<1 mm) pale, translucent edges; achene beaks 0.1-0.2 mm long . .Eriophorum scheuchzeri 03b Anthers (0.6)1.5-3 mm long; bristles pale cinnamon-brown to white; scales brown to black with pale edges >1 mm wide; achene beaks 0.3-0.5 mm . . Eriophorum russeolum [Eriophorum chamissonis] 04a Lower scales spreading or bent sharply back in fruit, with white edges ±1 mm wide; plants densely tufted, in tussocks; sheaths of upper 3b 4a leaves infated . . . . . Eriophorum vaginatum 04b Lower scales appressed to angled upwards in fruit, not conspicuously white-edged; plants tufted; sheaths of upper stem leaves infated or not...... 05 05a Plants 6-25 cm tall; stem leaves often with a short blade, the uppermost leaf sheath 5a conspicuously infated, attached below the middle of the stem; mountains, Kakwa to Banff ...... Eriophorum callitrix S2 05b Plants 30-60 cm tall; stem leaves bladeless, the uppermost sheath not conspicuously infated, attached above the middle of the stem ...... Eriophorum brachyantherum 6a 06a Leaf blades 1-1.5(3) mm wide, 3-sided and channelled for the entire length; fower clusters 5b with 1 leaf-like bract (the rest reduced to bladeless sheaths) . . . . Eriophorum gracile 06b Leaf-blades (1.5)3-6 mm wide, fat, triangular in cross-section towards the tip; fower clusters with (1)2-3 leaf-like bracts...... 07 07a Midrib of scales not extending into the membranous tip; upper sheaths dark-girdled at 7a the top; anthers mostly 3-4 mm long; spikelet stalks smooth to touch ...... Eriophorum angustifolium 7b [Eriophorum polystachion] 07b Midrib of scales prominent to tip; upper sheaths not dark-ringed at the top; anthers 0.8-2 mm long; spikelet stalks rough to touch ...... Eriophorum viridicarinatum

26 SCHOENOPLECTUS Bulrush 01a Stems slender, 3-angled/sided; spikelets 1-5(10), stalkless, in head-like clusters...... 2a ...... Schoenoplectus pungens [Scirpus pungens] 01b Stems stout, cylindrical; spikelets many, on slender stalks in umbrella-shaped clusters . 02 02a Achenes 3-sided; styles 3-branched; hair- like bristles 4(5), usually 2 short and 2 long; spikelets all solitary or some in pairs ...... Schoenoplectus heterochaetus 1a [Scirpus lacustris var. tenuiculmis] 02b Achenes lens shaped, 2-sided; styles 2-branched; bristles (4)6(8), ± equal in length; spikelets all in clusters to all solitary ...... 03 03a Spikelet scales uniformly orange or straw- colored (except often midribs), sometimes prominently spotted, tipped with a straight or bent, 0.2-0.8 mm awn; spikelets often all 3b solitary; stems relatively soft, the largest air spaces in the upper quarter 1-2.5 mm wide ...... Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani [Scirpus validus] 3a 03b Spikelet scales pale and prominently spotted (at least in part), tipped with a twisted, 0.5-2 mm long awn; some spiklets in small clusters; stems relatively frm, the largest air spaces in the upper quarter (0.5)1-1.5(2.5) mm wide ...... Schoenoplectus acutus [Scirpus acutus]

------SCIRPUS Bulrush 01a Plants densely tufted, forming tussocks; bristles much longer than the spikelet scales ...... Scirpus atrocinctus [Scirpus cyperinus] 01b Plants loosely tufted or spreading; bristles ≤ the spikelet scales in length ...... 02 02a Stems tufted, from short rootstocks; lower leaf 2a sheaths green or white; styles 3-branched; 1a achene 3-angled/sided or lens-shaped, 0.8- 1.2 x 0.4-0.6 mm; scale awns 0.4-0.6(1.2) mm long; eAB, from Fort Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat ...... Scirpus pallidus S1 02b Stems single from long, creeping rootstocks; lower leaf sheaths reddish; styles 2-branched; achene 2-angled/sided, 0.7-1.6 x 0.8-1 mm; scale awns 0-0.2 mm long ...... Scirpus microcarpus

27 TRICHOPHORUM Clubrush 01a Stems 3-angled/sided, rough to touch . . . .02 01b Stems cylindrical, smooth ...... 03 02a Spikes 15- to 20-fowered; fower bristles 20- 25 mm long, white, smooth; anthers 1.1-1.6 mm long; upper stem-leaf blades 1-2 cm long ...... Trichophorum alpinum [Scirpus hudsonianus] 2a 02b Spikes 3- to 6-fowered; fower bristles 1-2 mm long, pale brown, rough; anthers 0.7-1.5 mm 2b long; upper stem-leaf blades 3-25 cm long; S2 3a cAB ...... Trichophorum clintonii [Scirpus clintonii] 03a Plants loosely tufted with long slender 3b rootstocks; bracts shorter than spikelets, 1.6- 2.5 mm long, abruptly short-pointed; achenes without hair-like bristles; anthers 0.8-1.5 mm long ...... Trichophorum pumilum [Scirpus pumilus] 03b Plants in densely tufted, without rootstocks; bracts ± equalling spikelets, 3.3-4.5 mm long, tipped with an awn <1 mm long; achenes with long, hair-like bristles from the base; anthers 1.5-2.5 mm long Trichophorum cespitosum [Scirpus cespitosus]

28 References

ACIMS (Alberta Conservaton Informaton System). 2016. List of Elements in Alberta - Vascular Plants. October 2015. Downloaded from htps://www.albertaparks. ca/albertaparksca/management-land-use/alberta-conservaton-informaton- management-system-acims/download-data.aspx#trackedWatch.

Alberta Conservaton Informaton Management System (ACIMS). 2015. List of all Vascular Plant Taxa Confrmed for Alberta as recorded in the ACIMS database - October 15 2015. ACIMS, Government of Albert, Edmonton, Alberta.

Brouillet, L., F. Coursol, S.J. Meades, M. A. M. Favreau, P. Bélisle, and P. Desmet. 2010+. VASCAN, the Database of Vascular Plants of Canada. Accessed, 2016. htp://data.canadensys.net/vascan/.

Douglas, G. W., D. Meidinger, and J. Pojar. 2001. Illustrated fora of Britsh Columbia. Volume 6 Monocotyledons (Acoraceae through Najadaceae). Britsh Colum- bia Ministry of Forests, Victoria, Britsh Columbia.

Flora North America Editorial Commitee. 2008-10. Flora North America website. Oxford University Press. Accessed, 2014-2017. www.fna.org.

Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1955-69. Vascular plants of the Pacifc Northwest. Volume 5. University of Washington Press, Seatle, Washington.

Hurd, E. G., N. L. Shaw, J. Mastrogiuseppe, L. C. Smithman, and S. Goodrich. 1998. Field guide to Intermountain sedges. Page 282 in F. S. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rocky Mountain Research Staton., editor., Ogden, UT.

Lesica, P. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Botanical Research Insttute of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas.

Looman, J. and K. F. Best. 1979. Budd’s fora of the Canadian prairie provinces. No. 1662. Canadian Government Publishing Centre, Hull, Quebec.

Mackenzie, K. K. 1940. North American Cariceae. Illustrated by Harry Charles Creutz- burg. New York Botanical Garden, New York, New York.

Marlowe, P. A. 2011. Photo supplement to Carex establishment on reclaimed oil sands landscapes (north east Alberta): A case study at Suncor Energy Inc. Alberta Natve Plant Council. Accessed, 2017. htp://anpc.ab.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2015/01/Photo_supplement_to_the_Carex_Establishment_Part_I- a-me_2011-05-11-V2_.pdf; htp://anpc.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ Photo_supplement_to_Carex_Establishment_Part_II_mi-v_2012-08-20-V3. pdf.

29 Moss, E. H. 1983. Flora of Alberta.2nd editon. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario.

Packer, J. G. and A. J. Gould. 2017. Vascular Plants of Alberta Part 1: Ferns, Fern Allies, Gymnosperms, and Monocots. University of Calgary Press, Calgary, Alberta.

Province of Alberta. 2016. Weed Control Act, Ofce Consolidaton. Alberta Regulaton 19/2010 with amendments up to and including Alberta Regulaton 125/2016. Alberta Queen’s Printer, Edmonton, AB.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The fora of Canada. Natonal Museum of Natural Sciences, Natonal Museums of Canada, Otawa, Ontario.

Tannas, K. 2001. Common plants of the western rangelands - Volume 1: Grasses and grass-like species. . Lethbridge Community College, Lethbridge, AB.

Wilson, B. L., R. Brainerd, D. Lytjen, B. Newhouse, and N. Otng. 2008. Field Guide to the Sedges of the Pacifc Northwest. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, Oregon.

30 List of Species and Illustration Sources Illus. Illus. Scientfc Name Scientfc Name Source Source Amphiscirpus nevadensis H&C Carex echinata H&C Blysmopsis rufa JM Carex epapillosa H&C Bolboschoenus fuviatlis H&C Carex flifolia H&C Bolboschoenus maritmus H&C Carex fava H&C Carex adusta JM Carex foenea H&C Carex albonigra H&C Carex fuliginosa H&C Carex aperta H&C Carex garberi H&C Carex aquatlis H&C Carex geyeri H&C Carex arcta H&C Carex glacialis JM Carex atherodes H&C Carex gynocrates H&C Carex athrostachya H&C Carex haydeniana H&C Carex atratformis KM Carex heleonastes KM Carex atrosquama KM;H&C Carex hoodii H&C Carex aurea BC Carex hookeriana LK Carex backii H&C Carex houghtoniana B&B Carex bebbii H&C Carex hystericina H&C Carex bicolor KM Carex illota H&C Carex brevior H&C Carex incurviformis LK Carex brunnescens H&C Carex infrminervia H&C Carex buxbaumii H&C Carex inops H&C Carex canescens H&C Carex interior H&C Carex capillaris H&C Carex lachenalii H&C Carex capitata H&C Carex lacustris JM Carex chordorrhiza KM Carex lapponica BC Carex concinna H&C Carex lasiocarpa H&C Carex concinnoides H&C Carex lentcularis H&C Carex cordillerana LK Carex leptalea H&C Carex crawei H&C Carex limosa H&C Carex crawfordii H&C Carex livida H&C Carex defexa KM Carex loliacea JM Carex deweyana KM Carex macloviana KM Carex diandra H&C Carex magellanica H&C Carex disperma H&C Carex maritma KM Carex douglasii H&C Carex media H&C Carex duriuscula KM Carex mertensii H&C Carex eburnea KM Carex microglochin B&B

31 Illus. Illus. Scientfc Name Scientfc Name Source Source Carex micropoda H&C Carex simpliciuscula H&C Carex microptera H&C Carex simulata H&C Carex myosuroides H&C Carex spectabilis H&C Carex nardina H&C Carex sprengelii H&C Carex nebrascensis H&C Carex stpata H&C Carex nigricans H&C Carex supina JM Carex obtusata H&C Carex sychnocephala H&C Carex oligosperma JM Carex tahoensis LK Carex pachystachya H&C Carex tenera H&C Carex parryana H&C Carex tenuifora KM Carex paucifora H&C Carex tncta B&B; LK Carex paysonis H&C Carex tonsa KM Carex peckii KM Carex torreyi H&C Carex pedunculata BC; LK Carex trisperma JM Carex pellita H&C Carex umbellata B&B; LK Carex petasata H&C Carex utriculata H&C Carex petricosa KM Carex vaginata H&C Carex phaeocephala H&C Carex vesicaria H&C Carex podocarpa BC Carex viridula H&C Carex praegracilis H&C Carex vulpinoidea H&C Carex prairea KM Carex xerantca H&C Carex pratcola H&C Cyperus schweinitzii H&C Carex preslii KM;BC Cyperus squarrosus H&C Carex pseudocyperus LK Eleocharis acicularis H&C Carex raynoldsii H&C Eleocharis compressa B&B; LK Carex retrorsa H&C Eleocharis elliptca H&C Carex richardsonii KM Eleocharis engelmannii B&B; LK Carex rossii H&C Eleocharis erythropoda LK Carex rostrata BC Eleocharis macrostachya B&B; LK Carex rupestris H&C Eleocharis macrostachya B&B Carex sartwellii H&C Eleocharis mamillata LK Carex saxatlis H&C Eleocharis ovata H&C; LK Carex saximontana KM Eleocharis palustris H&C Carex scirpoidea H&C Eleocharis quinquefora H&C Carex scoparia H&C Eleocharis suksdorfana H&C Carex scopulorum H&C Eleocharis uniglumis LK Carex siccata H&C Eriophorum angustfolium H&C

32 Illus. Scientfc Name Source Eriophorum brachyantherum H&C Eriophorum callitrix JM Eriophorum gracile H&C Eriophorum russeolum H&C Eriophorum scheuchzeri H&C Eriophorum vaginatum BC; LK Eriophorum viridicarinatum H&C Rhynchospora capillacea BC Schoenoplectus acutus H&C Schoenoplectus heterochaetus H&C Schoenoplectus pungens H&C Schoenoplectus tabernaemotani H&C Scirpus atrocinctus H&C Scirpus microcarpus H&C Scirpus pallidus H&C Trichophorum alpinum H&C Trichophorum cespitosum H&C Trichophorum clintonii JM Trichophorum pumilum BC

Key to Illustration Sources B&B = Britton, N. L. and A. Brown. 1913. BC = Douglas et. al. 2001; illustrations provided courtesy of the Province of British Columbia. H&C = Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1955-69. KM = Mackenzie, K.K. 1940 LK = Linda Kershaw. JM = John Maywood

33 Index curta. See Carex canescens Amphiscirpus defexa 21, 22 nevadensis 4 deweyana 8 Blysmopsis diandra 9 rufa 3 disperma 9 Blysmus douglasii 10 rufus. See Blysmopsis rufa duriuscula 10 Bolboschoenus 4 eburnea 17 fuviatilis 4 echinata 8 maritimus 4 enanderi 12 Carex 3, 5 epapillosa 23 adusta 13 flifolia 6 aenea. See Carex foenea fava 18 albonigra 23 foenea 13 aperta 12 fuliginosa 17 aquatilis 12 garberi 11 arcta 15 geyeri 7 arctogena 6 glacialis 19 atherodes 17 gynocrates 5 athrostachya 12 haydeniana 14 atratiformis 23 heleonastes 15 atrosquama 23 heteroneura. See Carex epapillosa aurea 11 hoodii 9 backii 6, 18 hookeriana 9 bebbii 14 houghtoniana 17 bicolor 11 hystericina 20 bipartita. See Carex lachenalii illota 8, 12 brevior 13 incurviformis 10 brunnescens 15 infrminervia 8 buxbaumii 23 inops 21 canescens 15 interior 8 capillaris 18 kelloggii 12 capitata 6 lachenalii 15 chordorrhiza 10 lacustris 20 concinna 16 lanuginosa. See Carex pellita concinnoides 16 lapponica 15 cordillerana 6, 19 lasiocarpa 17 crawei 18 lenticularis 12 crawfordii 14 var. dolia. See Carex enanderi

34 var. lenticularis 12. See Carex len- praegracilis 11 ticularis prairea 9 var. lipocarpa. See Carex kelloggii praticola 13 leptalea 7 preslii 14 limosa 19 pseudocyperus 20 livida 18 pyrenaica. See Carex micropoda loliacea 15 raymondii. See Carex atratiformis mackenziei 15 raynoldsii 22 macloviana 13, 14 retrorsa 21 magellanica 19 richardsonii 16 maritima 10 rossii 22 media 22 rostrata 21 mertensii 23 rupestris 7 microglochin 7 sartwellii 10 micropoda 6, 7 saxatilis 11 microptera 14 saximontana 6, 19 misandra. See Carex fuliginosa scirpoidea 5, 6 myosuroides 5 scoparia 14 nardina 5, 7 scopulorum 12 nebrascensis 11 siccata 10 nebraskensis. See Carex nebrascensis simpliciuscula 5 nigricans 7 simulata 11 norvegica. See Carex media spectabilis 20 obtusata 7 sprengelii 18, 19 oligosperma 20 stenophylla. See Carex duriuscula pachystachya 14 stipata 9 parryana 22, 23 supina 19 paucifora 7 sychnocephala 8 paupercula. See Carex magellanica tahoensis 13 paysonis 20 tenera 14 peckii 21 tenuifora 15 pedunculata 16 tincta 14 pellita 17 tonsa 22 pensylvanica. See Carex inops torrey 17 petasata 12, 14 trisperma 15 petricosa 16, 17 umbellata 22 phaeocephala 13 utriculata 21 platylepis. See Carex praticola vaginata 18 podocarpa 20 vesicaria 21

35 viridula 18 Rhynchospora vulpinoidea 9 capillacea 3 xerantica 13 Schoenoplectus 4, 27 Cyperaceae 3 acutus 27 Cyperus 3, 23 fuviatilis. See Bolboschoenus fuviatilis infexus. See Cyperus squarrosus heterochaetus 27 schweinitzii 23 maritimus. See Bolboschoenus mari- squarrosus 23 timus Eleocharis 3, 23 pungens 4, 27 acicularis 23 tabernaemontani 27 compressa 24 Scirpus 4, 27 elliptica 24 acutus. See Schoenoplectus acutus engelmannii 24 atrocinctus 27 erythropoda 25 cespitosus. See Trichophorum cespi- macrostachya 25 tosum mamillata 25 clintonii. See Trichophorum clintonii ovata 24. See Eleocharis engelmannii; cyperinus. See Scirpus atrocinctus See Eleocharis elliptica fuviatilis. See Bolboschoenus fuviatilis palustris 25 hudsonianus. See Trichophorum quinquefora 24 alpinum suksdorfana 24 lacustris. See Schoenoplectus hetero- uniglumis 25 chaetus Eriophorum 3, 26 microcarpus 27 angustifolium 26 nevadensis. See Amphiscirpus ne- brachyantherum 26 vadensis callitrix 26 pallidus 27 chamissonis. See Eriophorum russeo- paludosus. See Bolboschoenus mari- lum timus gracile 26 pumilus. See Trichophorum pumilum polystachion. See Eriophorum angus- pungens. See Schoenoplectus pungens tifolium validus. See Schoenoplectus tabernae- russeolum 26 montani scheuchzeri 26 Trichophorum 3, 28 vaginatum 26 alpinum 28 viridicarinatum 26 cespitosum 28 Kobresia clintonii 28 myosuroides. See Carex myosuroides pumilum 28 simpliciuscula. See Carex simpliciuscula