Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Carex hystricina Muhlenberg ex Willdenow
(Porcupine Sedge)


Family: Cyperaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
None

Carex hystricina 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 hystricina prefers moist habitat near streams or rivers and is found at middle elevation in the Gila National Forest.



Carex hystricina, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork of the Gila River at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008



Carex hystricina, creekside habitat, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork of the Gila River at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008



Carex hystricina, detail of pistillate spike, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork of the Gila River at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008



Carex hystricina, 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 hystricina, growing among the cattails, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Tularosa River at Apache Creek, Aug. 11, 2009



Carex hystricina, growing among the cattails, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Tularosa River at Apache Creek, Aug. 11, 2009


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