Fescue sedge

Images

Click on image to view full size

Fescue sedge

Fescue sedge

Fescue sedge spikes

Fescue sedge

Fescue sedge

Fescue sedge

Fescue sedge spikes

Morphology

Culm

Erect, stiff, sharply triangular, angles rough or smooth, bases of old leaves often persisting.

Leaves

Blades 3-6, flat, ascending, shorter than culms, less than 1/6 inch wide, firm, pale green, glabrous; margins rough.

Sheath

Tight, inner surfaces with narrow transparent band.

Inflorescence

To 2 inches long, spikes 3-10, crowded or separated, sessile, egg-shaped to nearly round, 1/4 to 3/5 inch long, green, bisexual, pistillate flowers above staminate flowers; lowest bract bristle-like, upper bracts scale-like; pistillate scales lanceolate; tips pointed; perigynia 8-20 per spike, round, green, outer face strongly nerved, inner face nerveless; beaks 2-toothed; margins winged.

Fruit

Achenes, lens-shaped, yellowish brown, 1-seeded; stigmas 2, reddish brown.

Ecology

Habitat

Sandy prairies, meadows, ditches, and woodlands, most abundant in dry, disturbed areas.

Distribution

Throughout Kansas.

Additional Notes