Carex lutea
Carex lutea | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Cyperaceae |
Genus: | Carex |
Species: | C. lutea
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Binomial name | |
Carex lutea LeBlond
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Carex lutea is a rare species of sedge known by the common names golden sedge and sulphur sedge. It is endemic to North Carolina, where it is known only from Pender and Onslow Counties in the Cape Fear River watershed.[1] There are nine populations.[1][2] The plant was discovered in 1991 and described to science as a new species in 1994, and it has not been thoroughly studied nor completely surveyed yet.[1] Its rarity was obvious by 2002, however, when it was federally listed as an endangered species.[3]
This sedge was discovered in a very rare type of habitat made up of wet
Despite its small numbers and habitat specificity, the sedge has a relatively high genetic diversity compared to similar, more widespread species.[5]
This plant is a perennial sedge forming clumps of narrow stems which may exceed 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) in height. The thin leaves are up to 28 centimeters (11 in) long. The staminate (male) inflorescence is a spike of flowers up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, the spikelets clad in reddish brown or light brown scales. The pistillate (female) inflorescence is under 3 cm (1.2 in) long and has yellow-green flowers that yield beaked fruits.
References
- ^ a b c d e f USFWS. Carex lutea Five-year Review. December 18, 2009.
- ^ The Nature Conservancy
- ^ USFWS. Endangered status for Carex lutea (Golden Sedge). Federal Register January 23, 2002.
- ^ a b c d e Center for Plant Conservation Archived December 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- PMID 21632333.