Carex aquatilis var. dives

(Holm) Kükenthal

in H. G. A. Engler, Pflanzenr. 28[IV,20]: 311. 1909.

IllustratedEndemic
Basionym: Carex dives T. Holm Amer. J. Sci. 167: 312, figs. 8, 9. 1904
Synonyms: Carex howellii L. H. Bailey Carex panda C. B. Clarke Carex sitchensis Prescott ex Bongard
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 23. Treatment on page 398. Mentioned on page 397.

Culms 35–150 cm, angles scabrous. Leaves: basal sheaths leafless, usually red-brown; blades epistomic, 5–18 mm wide, adaxially papillose. Inflorescences: peduncle of proximal spike to 11 cm; proximal bract longer than inflorescence, 3–10 mm wide. Spikes pendent or the terminal usually erect; proximal 3–6 spikes pistillate, 4.5–11.5 cm × 4–7 mm, base attenuate; terminal 2–4 spikes staminate. Pistillate scales red-brown or purple-brown. Perigynia pale brown, ellipsoid, 1.9–3.5 × 1–1.2 mm, apex acute or obtuse; beak purple-brown, 0.3–0.4 mm, papery. 2n = 72, 74, 78, 80.


Phenology: Fruiting Jul–Aug.
Habitat: Marshes, shallow water along shores
Elevation: 0–900 m

Distribution

V23 711-distribution-map.jpg

B.C., Alaska, Calif., Mont., Oreg., Wash.

Discussion

Carex aquatilis var. dives is the most robust variety of C. aquatilis and the only member to have pendent spikes, ellipsoid perigynia, and epistomic leaves. Carex aquatilis var. dives intergrades with var. aquatilis and does not appear to be distinct at the specific level. It may hybridize with C. lyngbyei.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Lisa A. Standley +, Jacques Cayouette +  and Leo Bruederle +
(Holm) Kükenthal +
Carex dives +
B.C. +, Alaska +, Calif. +, Mont. +, Oreg. +  and Wash. +
0–900 m +
Marshes, shallow water along shores +
Fruiting Jul–Aug. +
in H. G. A. Engler, Pflanzenr. +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Carex howellii +, Carex panda +  and Carex sitchensis +
Carex aquatilis var. dives +
Carex aquatilis +
variety +