''Carex careyana'', commonly known as Carey's sedge, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

sedge The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus ''Carex'' wit ...

found in the eastern United States and

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, Canada. Its natural habitat is nutrient-rich moist forests, often on rocky calcareous slopes, and around outcrops such as caves or sinkholes. It is a conservative species, only being found in intact natural communities. It can be distinguished from other ''Carex'' in section Careyanae by its combination of purple leaf bases, broad basal leaves, long leaf-like bracts on the culm, and relatively large perigynia. It produces flowers and fruits in spring.

References

careyana Flora of North America Plants described in 1836 {{Carex-stub