Field Guide to the Sedges of the Pacific NorthwestSedges are key members of many Northwest ecosystems, performing critical roles in wetlands, prairies, savannas, steppes, and forests. They are often the dominant ground cover in flood plains, along stream banks, and in wet meadows and marshes. Their extensive, fibrous root systems prevent erosion by binding soils, while their dense foliage traps sediment, making them critical elements in the restoration of wetland and riparian systems. Field Guide to the Sedges of the Pacific Northwest is the first illustrated guide to all 164 species, subspecies, and varieties in the genus Carex that occur in Oregon and Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Sedges can be challenging to identify with differences between species based on small, technical characters. After nearly fifteen years of research, Oregon botanists of the Carex Working Group have written this comprehensive guide, complete with identification keys, descriptions, color photographs, and distribution maps for each species, providing users with helpful tools and tips for identifying the plants in this challenging group. Information about sedge ecology, habitat management and restoration, ethnobotanical uses, and propagation enhances the guides utility. The Field Guide provides a comprehensive and essential resource for botanists, land managers, restoration ecologists, and plant enthusiasts. And, as the genus Carex becomes increasingly important amongst landscapers, nurseries, and gardeners, the guide will serve as a handy tool for choosing Northwest natives for the garden. |
Contents
Acknowledgments | 10 |
Carex Nomenclature and Classification | 24 |
Abbreviations and Symbols | 37 |
Copyright | |
9 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Field Guide to the Sedges of the Pacific Northwest Barbara L. Wilson,Richard E. Brainerd,Danna Lytjen,Bruce Newhouse,Nick Otting No preview available - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
achene top Achenes alpine androgynous aquatilis basal spikes beak tip beakless blackish bogs bottom right Carex Cascades cespitose cm long cm tall coastal Comments community dominant cross-corrugated Culms dark brown Description dioecious distal elliptic elongated erect flat flowers forest glabrous glaucous green grows gynecandrous spikes habit bottom habit Common name Habitat and Distribution hairy high elevations hyaline Identification Tips inflorescences center left Key features ladder-fibrillose lanceolate Lateral spikes leaf sheath fronts leaves Lenticular ligule longer lowest inflorescence bract mesic midrib mm long mm wide moist montane narrow obovate Ovales Key ovate pale papillose perigynia top right perigynium beak perigynium body pistillate scales Plant bases populations pubescent purplish rare reddish brown rhizomatous rhizomes rossii Sedge Section seed serpentine shoots short shorter soils sometimes species Spikes gynecandrous staminate Stigmas straw-colored subalpine tapering teeth Terminal spike top left Trigonous unwinged veinless wet meadows wetlands white-hyaline wide winged perigynia