Scientific Name
Carex simulata Mack.
Common Name(s)
Analogue sedge, short-beaked sedge
Tribe / Family Name
Cyperaceae
Flowering Period
May to August
Symbol
CASI2
Description
Analogue sedge is a native cool-season perennial grass-like plant that grows from well-developed, brown rhizomes with fibrillose scales. Culms range from 10–90 cm in height and has an erect growth habit with sharply triangular (3-angled) stems (edges becoming roughened or scabrous towards tip). Inflorescence is an ovoid to oblong head up to 3 cm long with 8–25 or more overlapping small spikes that are either androgynous or unisexual (bearing exclusively male [staminate] or female [pistillate] flowers, or nearly so) and medium to dark brown in color. Bracts are inconspicuous and shorter than the inflorescence. Perigynia are 1.7–2.5 mm long, up to 1.7 mm wide, broadly ovate, plano-convex, shining brown, nerveless or or with few nerves on each surface; beaks are abruptly narrowed and short (up to 0.5 mm long). Pistillate scales are ovate, distinctly longer than the subtended perigynium, green to black or brown with hyaline margins and a pale midvein. Stigmas 2. Fruit is an achene, lenticular, and yellow brown in color. Leaves are up to 3.7 mm wide, 2–5 per culm, and flat or nearly so. Sheaths are tight, hyaline ventrally, glabrous, and truncate or concave at mouth.
General Info
Analogue sedge can be found in wet meadows, swamps, valleys, and montane sites.
Similar Species
Analogue sedge is very distinctive and probably won’t be confused with other grass-like plants. Remember to look for the shiny brown perigynia with very short beaks.
Picture of growth habit.
Close-up picture of spike inflorescence. The bracts are small and inconspicuous and shorter than the inflorescence.
Illustration of analogue sedge. Glen Cole, 2017.