Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Sedges, Sedges, Sedges



Take a few seconds to look at all the different species of sedges in this short slide show. Depending upon who you "hang" with, you probably either think sedges are wildly awesome or just downright obscure. We botanists love sedges- Ohio has around 160 species of Carex alone, and knowing what type of sedges are calling a particular place home can tell you much about its ecological significance.

Sedges don't have traditional flower parts- The genus Carex, which most of these species belong to, instead have separate male and female flowers. The female flowers are composed of a sack like structure called a perigynia. Towards the top of this sack is a hole through which pollen can enter. Often, the plant's stigmas will be sticking out from the perigynia, making it easier to grab pollen. Male flowers are often much smaller and less inflated. Some sedges have male flowers and female flowers in the same inflorescence, while others are on different spikes. Look for that in these images.

Yes, they do look alike, but by taking a look at the shape of the peryiginia, you usually tell the species. Often you have to do this with a 10x or greater handlens, but still, many sedges can be readily learned in the field, if you work at it. I've been at it for about 5 years now.

Enjoy these sedges! Mostly carex, one Scirpus (old name) and one federally endangered plant thrown in for good measure, the running buffalo clover.

Happy sedge watching,

Tom

7 comments:

  1. Tom: Must say this is something that you must learn. Neat write-up for the uneducated.

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  2. I am fascinated by wild grasses and sedges, but by ID skills are nil. I plan on correcting that in the coming years. While at the Wilds this past weekend, I was amazed by Jim's sedge ID skills in the brief span of only an hour or so (he stayed very focused on the birds until we got to our last little side trip - then anything was game!).

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  3. Tom- Thanks Tom!

    Heather- Jim used to do what I do. Our desks were about ten feet from each other. He is one of the best. Consistent examination of grass like plants everywhere you go is really what it takes. I learned first to tell a grass from a sedge, then went from there. Get that down, and you've already gone far.

    Tom

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  4. Hi Tom,

    Just thought you might know about Highbanks Metro Park. I was walking there today and noticed that a few acres near the top paths across from the nature center seem to have lost all of their leaves. Have you seen this and do you know what is going on there? All the trees are bald in that section of the trail.

    Concerned walker.

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  5. Interesting- Maybe Gypsy moths?

    Tom

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  6. I watched before I read and wondered why the clover was in there:-) I thought maybe you just wanted to see if we were awake and watching it all. You've collected a lot of these sedges and obviously know all about them.

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  7. I should write a whole post on the clover, it's definitely worth it.

    Tom

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