Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Carex hystericina Muhlenberg ex Willdenow
(Porcupine Sedge)
Family: Cyperaceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Carex hystericina is one of the easiest of the genus to recognize. The perigynia look like little
spiny footballs about 2 cm in length. The terminal spike is usually staminate. The lower pistillate spikes
are on flexuous pedicels. Carex hystericina prefers moist habitat near streams or rivers and is found at middle
elevation in the Gila National Forest.
Carex hystericina, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork of the Gila River at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008
Carex hystericina, creekside habitat, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork of the Gila River at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008
Carex hystericina, detail of pistillate spike, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork of the Gila River at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008
Carex hystericina, detail of scale and perigynia, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork of the Gila River at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008
Carex hystericina, growing among the cattails, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Tularosa River at Apache Creek, Aug. 11, 2009
Carex hystericina, growing among the cattails, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Tularosa River at Apache Creek, Aug. 11, 2009
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