''Carex filifolia'' is a species of

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 ...

known by the common name threadleaf sedge. It is native to western North America and grows on slopes, eroded areas, gravel, and dry habitats.

Description

''Carex filifolia'' produces clumps of stems which are rounded or triangular, wiry, and angled or curved, reaching up to about 35 centimeters long. The root network is extensive and it forms

sod Sod, also known as turf, is the upper layer of soil with the grass growing on it that is often harvested into rolls. In Australian and British English, sod is more commonly known as ''turf'', and the word "sod" is limited mainly to agricult ...

. The leaves are narrow and rolled tightly, appearing quill-like. The

inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed o ...

is up to 3 centimeters long and has flowers coated with reddish scales. The fruit is covered in a sac called a perigynium which is somewhat hairy. The plant produces some seeds, but mainly reproduces vegetatively.

Distribution and habitat

This sedge is native to much of western North America, from

Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

and

Manitoba Manitoba ( ) is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada at the Centre of Canada, longitudinal centre of the country. It is Canada's Population of Canada by province and territory, fifth-most populous province, with a population o ...

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

, where it grows in moist and dry habitat.

References

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment - ''Carex filifolia''USDA Plants ProfileFlora of North America''Carex filifolia'' - Photo gallery
filifolia Flora of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Flora of California Flora of Alaska Flora of the Western United States Flora of Western Canada Plants described in 1818 Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Carex-stub