DOCSLIB.ORG

Impacts of Asiatic Sand Sedge on Native Plants and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in a Barrier Dune

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Impacts of Asiatic Sand Sedge on Native Plants and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in a Barrier Dune University of Rhode Island DigitalCommons@URI Open Access Master's Theses 2011 IMPACTS OF ASIATIC SAND SEDGE ON NATIVE PLANTS AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN A BARRIER DUNE William Johnson University of Rhode Island, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses Recommended Citation Johnson, William, "IMPACTS OF ASIATIC SAND SEDGE ON NATIVE PLANTS AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN A BARRIER DUNE" (2011). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 104. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/104 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@URI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Open Access Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@URI. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IMPACTS OF ASIATIC SAND SEDGE ON NATIVE PLANTS AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN A BARRIER DUNE BY WILLIAM JOHNSON A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 2011 MASTER OF SCIENCE THESIS OF WILLIAM JOHNSON APPROVED: Thesis Committee: Major Professor_____Richard E. Koske______________ _____ Keith T. Killingbeck ___________ _____Laura A. Meyerson ____________ _____Nasser H. Zawia_______________ DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 2011 ABSTRACT The recent expansion of the nonnative invasive Asiatic sand sedge (Carex kobomugi Ohwi) at East Beach State Park, Rhode Island, is reducing populations of the most important native, dune-building species and their associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In contrast to the native American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata Fern.) that is dependent upon AMF to thrive in nutrient- poor sand dunes, C. kobomugi does not form beneficial associations with the fungi. Furthermore, assessments suggest that the sedge is competitively superior in obtaining the essential nutrient phosphorous without AMF-facilitation. Analysis of data from transects of the dune system revealed significant negative correlations between distributions of C. kobomugi and A. breviligulata that are being extirpated. Percent cover of A. breviligulata was significantly reduced in areas of C. kobomugi. Other native plant species were not significantly reduced as a result of C. kobomugi expansion. Spore populations of AMF showed significant positive correlations with percent cover of A. breviligulata and significant negative correlations with percent cover of C. kobomugi. Mean spore abundance of AMF in areas of C. kobomugi was less than in areas dominated by A. breviligulata. The number of species of AMF was not significantly reduced as a result of C. kobomugi likely because of highly aggregated and infrequent distribution of some species‟ spores. Assessment of mycorrhizal inoculum potential (MIP) of soils taken from the field mirrored the spore-population data: mean root colonization of plants grown in field soil of C. kobomugi (12%-24%) was between three and five times lower than that of plants grown in field soil of A. breviligulata (55%-72%). This study was unique in quantifying the effect of an invasive species on populations of mycorrhizal fungi in a dune habitat. It was novel in assessing the reduction of native plant and fungi species by C. kobomugi in Rhode Island. The replacement of AMF-forming species on dunes by a species that does not form AMF (and support spore production by these obligately biotrophic fungi) will have serious consequences when attempts are made to re-establish native species in the sites that are eventually cleared of C. kobomugi. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank Dr. Richard Koske for his enthusiasm and guidance throughout this project. His personality and expertise helped to facilitate this study greatly, and as a mentor he helped to hone my skills as an active contributor to the scientific field. I thank Dr. Keith Killingbeck, Dr. Laura Meyerson and Dr. Jane Gemma for suggestions that laid the foundation that I was able to expand upon. Their ideas helped to define and better communicate my findings. I thank my lab and teaching colleagues over the years for their support as well. This study would not have been possible without material assistance provided by the University of Rhode Island. I thank Rick Enser for field notes pertaining to vegetation, Robert Paquette of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management Division of Parks and Recreation for permitting access to the dunes at East Beach. I thank Warren Hall of the Town of Middletown, and Andrew MacLachlan of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for information concerning Sachuest Point and East Beach respectively. Lastly, this thesis would not have been possible without the support from my friends and family. iv PREFACE This thesis is written in the manuscript style format approved by the Graduate School of the University of Rhode Island with modifications in style as required for publication in the specific journal listed. One manuscript is as follows: MANUSCRIPT I. “Impacts of Asiatic sand sedge on native plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a barrier dune (to be submitted in the Journal of Coastal Research). Detailed methods for certain aspects of the study are presented in the Appendices. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................... iv PREFACE ..................................................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... x MANUSCRIPT I. ......................................................................................................... 1 ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. 2 ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS ................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4 Mycorrhizal Fungi ....................................................................................................... 4 Ammophila breviligulata and Carex kobomugi........................................................... 6 MATERIALS AND METHODS .............................................................................. 17 Study Site .................................................................................................................... 17 Vegetation Percent Cover Analysis .......................................................................... 18 Spore Abundance and Species Richness of AMF (2009) ........................................ 20 Spore Abundance and Species Richness of AMF (2010) ........................................ 21 Spore Extraction ........................................................................................................ 22 Spore Identification and Analysis ............................................................................. 24 Mycorrhizal Inoculum Potential (MIP) ................................................................... 25 Field Plant Leaf Tissue Phosphate ........................................................................... 28 Available Soil Phosphorous (2009) ........................................................................... 31 vi Statistical Analysis ..................................................................................................... 31 RESULTS ................................................................................................................... 33 Vegetation Percent Cover .......................................................................................... 33 Spore Abundance and Species Richness of AMF .................................................... 33 MIP Growth Experiment .......................................................................................... 35 Soil Phosphate ............................................................................................................ 36 Field Plant Leaf Tissue Phosphate ........................................................................... 36 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................. 38 Effects of Invasive Plants on Belowground Biota and Processes ........................... 38 Reduction of A. breviligulata and AMF by C. kobomugi ........................................ 42 Effects of Replacement and Reduction of A. breviligulata ..................................... 46 Spread of C. kobomugi and Implications for Future Mitigation ........................... 48 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................... 55 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................ 56 Appendix A: Root Staining Procedure (adapted and modified from Koske and Gemma, 1989 and Schmidt and Reeves, 1984): ................................................. 56 Appendix B:
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Coastal Landscaping in Massachusetts Plant List
    Coastal Landscaping in Massachusetts Plant List This PDF document provides additional information to supplement the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Coastal Landscaping website. The plants listed below are good choices for the rugged coastal conditions of Massachusetts. The Coastal Beach Plant List, Coastal Dune Plant List, and Coastal Bank Plant List give recommended species for each specified location (some species overlap because they thrive in various conditions). Photos and descriptions of selected species can be found on the following pages: • Grasses and Perennials • Shrubs and Groundcovers • Trees CZM recommends using native plants wherever possible. The vast majority of the plants listed below are native (which, for purposes of this fact sheet, means they occur naturally in eastern Massachusetts). Certain non-native species with specific coastal landscaping advantages that are not known to be invasive have also been listed. These plants are labeled “not native,” and their state or country of origin is provided. (See definitions for native plant species and non-native plant species at the end of this fact sheet.) Coastal Beach Plant List Plant List for Sheltered Intertidal Areas Sheltered intertidal areas (between the low-tide and high-tide line) of beach, marsh, and even rocky environments are home to particular plant species that can tolerate extreme fluctuations in water, salinity, and temperature. The following plants are appropriate for these conditions along the Massachusetts coast. Black Grass (Juncus gerardii) native Marsh Elder (Iva frutescens) native Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) native Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens) native Sea Lavender (Limonium carolinianum or nashii) native Spike Grass (Distichlis spicata) native Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) native Plant List for a Dry Beach Dry beach areas are home to plants that can tolerate wind, wind-blown sand, salt spray, and regular interaction with waves and flood waters.
    [Show full text]
  • Resilient Plants for the Beach Communities
    Resilient Plants for the Beach Communities 1 | Page Table of Contents Native Plants for Costal Dunes............................................................................................ 4 Grasses and Grass like Plants .......................................................................................... 5 Ammophila breviligulata ............................................................................................. 6 Panicum amarum ‘var. arnaruium’ ............................................................................. 7 Panicum virgatum ....................................................................................................... 8 Spartina patens ........................................................................................................... 9 Herbaceous Plants ........................................................................................................ 10 Baptisia tinctoria ....................................................................................................... 11 Liatris pilosa v. pilosa (graminifolia) ......................................................................... 12 Nuttallanthus canadensis.......................................................................................... 13 Oenothera biennis .................................................................................................... 14 Opuntia compressa ................................................................................................... 15 Solidago sempervirens .............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Ecology of the Exotic Dune Grass Leymus Arenarius
    University of Louisville ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository Electronic Theses and Dissertations 5-2018 Soil ecology of the exotic dune grass Leymus arenarius. Matthew L. Reid University of Louisville Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/etd Part of the Botany Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons Recommended Citation Reid, Matthew L., "Soil ecology of the exotic dune grass Leymus arenarius." (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2995. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2995 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository. This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has retained all other copyrights. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SOIL ECOLOGY OF THE EXOTIC DUNE GRASS LEYMUS ARENARIUS By Matthew L. Reid B.A. Hendrix College, 2009 M.S. University of Louisiana at Monroe, 2013 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Louisville in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology Department of Biology University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky May 2018 SOIL ECOLOGY OF THE EXOTIC DUNE GRASS LEYMUS ARENARIUS By Matthew L. Reid B.A. Hendrix College, 2009 M.S. University
    [Show full text]
  • NJ Native Plants - USDA
    NJ Native Plants - USDA Scientific Name Common Name N/I Family Category National Wetland Indicator Status Thermopsis villosa Aaron's rod N Fabaceae Dicot Rubus depavitus Aberdeen dewberry N Rosaceae Dicot Artemisia absinthium absinthium I Asteraceae Dicot Aplectrum hyemale Adam and Eve N Orchidaceae Monocot FAC-, FACW Yucca filamentosa Adam's needle N Agavaceae Monocot Gentianella quinquefolia agueweed N Gentianaceae Dicot FAC, FACW- Rhamnus alnifolia alderleaf buckthorn N Rhamnaceae Dicot FACU, OBL Medicago sativa alfalfa I Fabaceae Dicot Ranunculus cymbalaria alkali buttercup N Ranunculaceae Dicot OBL Rubus allegheniensis Allegheny blackberry N Rosaceae Dicot UPL, FACW Hieracium paniculatum Allegheny hawkweed N Asteraceae Dicot Mimulus ringens Allegheny monkeyflower N Scrophulariaceae Dicot OBL Ranunculus allegheniensis Allegheny Mountain buttercup N Ranunculaceae Dicot FACU, FAC Prunus alleghaniensis Allegheny plum N Rosaceae Dicot UPL, NI Amelanchier laevis Allegheny serviceberry N Rosaceae Dicot Hylotelephium telephioides Allegheny stonecrop N Crassulaceae Dicot Adlumia fungosa allegheny vine N Fumariaceae Dicot Centaurea transalpina alpine knapweed N Asteraceae Dicot Potamogeton alpinus alpine pondweed N Potamogetonaceae Monocot OBL Viola labradorica alpine violet N Violaceae Dicot FAC Trifolium hybridum alsike clover I Fabaceae Dicot FACU-, FAC Cornus alternifolia alternateleaf dogwood N Cornaceae Dicot Strophostyles helvola amberique-bean N Fabaceae Dicot Puccinellia americana American alkaligrass N Poaceae Monocot Heuchera americana
    [Show full text]
  • Y-17-008 Coastal Dune Ecology.Pdf
    AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Reuben Gabriel Biel for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology presented on September 12, 2017. Title: Coastal Dune Ecology, Geomorphology, and Ecosystem Services: How Invasive Beachgrasses, their Interactions, and Sediment Dynamics Shape U.S. Pacific Northwest Dunes Abstract approved: ________________________________________________________________________ Sally D. Hacker Biological invasions and climate change represent two preeminent threats to ecological communities and biodiversity, altering the distribution and abundance of species, disrupting existing species interactions and forming unprecedented ones, and creating novel ecological communities. Many of the most successful invasive species are also ecosystem engineers, species that physically modify the abiotic state of the ecosystem, and consequently have broad impacts on community structure, ecosystem processes, and ecosystem services. As ecosystems face dual hazards from biological invasions and climate change, it is imperative to understand what factors influence invasion success, how invasive species alter physical and biological processes, and how a changing climate alters the course of invasion. In this dissertation, I investigate the interactions of two invasive, dune-forming beachgrasses within the U.S Pacific Northwest coastal dune ecosystem and their influence on dune geomorphology and ecosystem services. Two species of non-native beachgrasses, Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link and A. breviligulata (Fernald), were intentionally introduced to the Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century for the purpose of sand stabilization. Since their introductions, they have displaced numerous endemic plants and animals, and facilitated the formation of tall, stable, and well-vegetated shore- parallel dune ridges throughout the region. However, the two Ammophila species differ in their distributions and their impacts on dunes: biogeographically, A.
    [Show full text]
  • Carex of New England
    Field Guide to Carex of New England Lisa A. Standley A Special Publication of the New England Botanical Club About the Author: Lisa A. Standley is an environmental consultant. She obtained a B.S, and M.S. from Cornell University and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. She has published several articles on the systematics of Carex, particularly Section Phacocystis, and was the author of several section treatments in the Flora of North America. Cover Illustrations: Pictured are Carex pensylvanica and Carex intumescens. Field Guide to Carex of New England Lisa A. Standley Special Publication of the New England Botanical Club Copyright © 2011 Lisa A. Standley Acknowledgements This book is dedicated to Robert Reed, who first urged me to write a user-friendly guide to Carex; to the memory of Melinda F. Denton, my mentor and inspiration; and to Tony Reznicek, for always sharing his expertise. I would like to thank all of the people who helped with this book in so many ways, particularly Karen Searcy and Robert Bertin for their careful editing; Paul Somers, Bruce Sorrie, Alice Schori, Pam Weatherbee, and others who helped search for sedges; Arthur Gilman, Melissa Dow Cullina, and Patricia Swain, who carefully read early drafts of the book; and to Emily Wood, Karen Searcy, and Ray Angelo, who provided access to the herbaria at Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts, and the New England Botanical Club. CONTENTS Introduction .......................................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Lewis and Clark National Historic Park Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NCCN/NRR—2012/597 ON THE COVER Benson Beach, Cape Disappointment State Park Photograph by: Lindsey Koepke Wise Lewis and Clark National Historic Park Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report Natural Resource Report NPS/NCCN/NRR—2012/597 James S. Kagan, Eric M. Nielsen, Matthew D. Noone, Jason C. van Warmerdam, and Lindsey K. Wise Oregon Biodiversity Information Center Institute for Natural Resources – Portland Portland State University P.O. Box 751 Portland, OR 97207 Gwen Kittel NatureServe 4001 Discovery Dr., Suite 2110 Boulder, CO 80303 Catharine Copass National Park Service North Coast and Cascades Network Olympic National Park 600 E. Park Avenue Port Angeles, WA 98362 December 2012 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate high-priority, current natural resource management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management applicability. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.
    [Show full text]
  • Literature Cited Robert W. Kiger, Editor This Is a Consolidated List Of
    RWKiger 26 Jul 18 Literature Cited Robert W. Kiger, Editor This is a consolidated list of all works cited in volumes 24 and 25. In citations of articles, the titles of serials are rendered in the forms recommended in G. D. R. Bridson and E. R. Smith (1991). When those forms are abbreviated, as most are, cross references to the corresponding full serial titles are interpolated here alphabetically by abbreviated form. Two or more works published in the same year by the same author or group of coauthors will be distinguished uniquely and consistently throughout all volumes of Flora of North America by lower-case letters (b, c, d, ...) suffixed to the date for the second and subsequent works in the set. The suffixes are assigned in order of editorial encounter and do not reflect chronological sequence of publication. The first work by any particular author or group from any given year carries the implicit date suffix "a"; thus, the sequence of explicit suffixes begins with "b". Works missing from any suffixed sequence here are ones cited elsewhere in the Flora that are not pertinent in these volumes. Aares, E., M. Nurminiemi, and C. Brochmann. 2000. Incongruent phylogeographies in spite of similar morphology, ecology, and distribution: Phippsia algida and P. concinna (Poaceae) in the North Atlantic region. Pl. Syst. Evol. 220: 241–261. Abh. Senckenberg. Naturf. Ges. = Abhandlungen herausgegeben von der Senckenbergischen naturforschenden Gesellschaft. Acta Biol. Cracov., Ser. Bot. = Acta Biologica Cracoviensia. Series Botanica. Acta Horti Bot. Prag. = Acta Horti Botanici Pragensis. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. = Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica. [Shokubutsu Bunrui Chiri.] Acta Phytotax.
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Term Effects of Planted Ammophila Breviligulata on North Beach Dune
    Long-term Effects of Planted Ammophila breviligulata on North Beach Dune by Jacob T. Swineford, Grant Hoekwater, Issac J. Jacques, Manny L. Schrotenboer, and Matt Wierenga FYRES: Dunes Research Report # 16 May 2015 Department of Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies Calvin College Grand Rapids, Michigan ABSTRACT Ammophila breviligulata is a beach grass commonly planted for dune management because of its burial tolerance and effectiveness in sand stabilization. The long term effect of planted beachgrass is not fully understood. This study investigated the vegetation health, distribution, and density of planted A. breviligulata in relation to the characteristics of a Lake Michigan coastal dune site. The study location is North Beach dune, which in 2004 was moving towards the only access road for many shoreline homes. To stabilize the dune, Ottawa County Park staff and volunteers have been planting A. breviligulata periodically over the past ten years. The investigation included comparing photographs from 2004 to 2014 and using GPS to map vegetated areas. The study area was divided into 9 sections and randomly-selected quadrats were used to measure plant health, maximum height, and density. Photographic comparisons show that the planted beach grass has spread across much of the windward slope of the dune. Grass near sand fences was taller and healthier than grasses in transition areas between bare sand and full vegetation. Areas with steeper slopes had generally taller, healthier plants than areas with gentle slopes. The results suggest that 5-10 years after being planted, A. breviligulata was moderately healthy and offering greater protection to the dune surface. 1 INTRODUCTION Ammophila breviligulata (American beach grass) is a commonly used beachgrass for management and stabilization purposes because of its tolerance for burial (Figure 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Tracheophyte of Xiao Hinggan Ling in China: an Updated Checklist
    Biodiversity Data Journal 7: e32306 doi: 10.3897/BDJ.7.e32306 Taxonomic Paper Tracheophyte of Xiao Hinggan Ling in China: an updated checklist Hongfeng Wang‡§, Xueyun Dong , Yi Liu|,¶, Keping Ma | ‡ School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China § School of Food Engineering Harbin University, Harbin, China | State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ¶ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Corresponding author: Hongfeng Wang ([email protected]) Academic editor: Daniele Cicuzza Received: 10 Dec 2018 | Accepted: 03 Mar 2019 | Published: 27 Mar 2019 Citation: Wang H, Dong X, Liu Y, Ma K (2019) Tracheophyte of Xiao Hinggan Ling in China: an updated checklist. Biodiversity Data Journal 7: e32306. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.7.e32306 Abstract Background This paper presents an updated list of tracheophytes of Xiao Hinggan Ling. The list includes 124 families, 503 genera and 1640 species (Containing subspecific units), of which 569 species (Containing subspecific units), 56 genera and 6 families represent first published records for Xiao Hinggan Ling. The aim of the present study is to document an updated checklist by reviewing the existing literature, browsing the website of National Specimen Information Infrastructure and additional data obtained in our research over the past ten years. This paper presents an updated list of tracheophytes of Xiao Hinggan Ling. The list includes 124 families, 503 genera and 1640 species (Containing subspecific units), of which 569 species (Containing subspecific units), 56 genera and 6 families represent first published records for Xiao Hinggan Ling. The aim of the present study is to document an updated checklist by reviewing the existing literature, browsing the website of National Specimen Information Infrastructure and additional data obtained in our research over the past ten years.
    [Show full text]
  • Plant Conservation Alliance®S Alien Plant Working Group Asiatic Sand
    FACT SHEET: ASIATIC SAND SEDGE Asiatic Sand Sedge Carex kobomugi Ohwi Sedge family (Cyperaceae) NATIVE RANGE Coastal areas of northeastern Asia DESCRIPTION Asiatic sand sedge is a perennial adapted to coastal beaches and dunes and possibly the only Carex species found in upper beach habitat along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. The mature sedge is a coarse and stout member of the genus that forms extensive colonies through cord-like rhizomes that extend many feet under the sand and produce new shoots. Flowering and fruiting occurs April through June and individual plants have either male or female flowers. As with many other members of the genus Carex, the flowers are numerous, subtended by scales, and arranged in spikes at the end of a flowering stalk that is triangular in cross section. A papery sac or perigynium encloses the female flowers, each of which develops into a single-seeded fruit, called an achene. Because flowering culms are evident for a relatively brief period during the spring, and some colonies and Asiatic Sand Sedgenew infestations may spread extensively without flowering, it is useful to learn to recognize the plant in its sterile form. Asiatic sand sedge may be confused with at least two colonial, rhizomatous native grass species - American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata) and beach panic grass (Panicum amarum). Leaves of Asiatic sand sedge are longer tapering than those of the above grasses, have a yellow-green rather than bluish-green cast, and small teeth along the margin that are easily felt or seen with the help of magnification. These differences become more obvious when observed in the field.
    [Show full text]
  • IPANE - Catalog of Species Search Results
    IPANE - Catalog of Species Search Results http://www.lib.uconn.edu/webapps/ipane/browsing.cfm?descriptionid=121 Home | Early Detection | IPANE Species | Data & Maps | Volunteers | About the Project | Related Information Catalog of Species Search Results Carex kobomugi (Japanese sedge :: Catalog of Species Search Asiatic sand sedge ) Common Name(s) | Full Scientific Name | Family Name Common | Family Scientific Name | Images | Synonyms | Description | Similar Species | Reproductive/Dispersal Mechanisms | Distribution | History of Introduction in New England | Habitats in New England | Threats | Early Warning Notes | Management Links | Documentation Needs | Additional Information | References | Data Retrieval | Maps of New England Plant Distribution COMMON NAME Japanese sedge Asiatic sand sedge FULL SCIENTIFIC NAME Carex kobomugi Ohwi. FAMILY NAME COMMON Sedge family FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME Cyperaceae IMAGES Close-up of Incursion inflorescence Habit 1 of 6 9/24/2007 3:33 PM IPANE - Catalog of Species Search Results http://www.lib.uconn.edu/webapps/ipane/browsing.cfm?descriptionid=121 Habitat/Incursion Habitat/Incursion NOMENCLATURE/SYNONYMS Synonyms: None DESCRIPTION Botanical Glossary Carex kobomugi is a perennial sedge that grows 10-30 cm (4 in.-1 ft.) in height. The plant is very stout and has an overall yellow-green color. The slightly arching leaves are very stiff and measure 3-6 mm (0.1-0.25 in.) in width. The margins of the leaves are rough to the touch, and the serration can be seen with the aid of a hand lens (10x). These leaves are often longer than the triangular stems. Carex kobomugi flowers in May to June. It is dioecious, therefore there are separate male and female plants.
    [Show full text]