Western Wetland Flora
Field Office Guide to Plant Species
Carex kelloggii W. Boott
- Family: Sedge (Cyperaceae)
- Flowering: May-June
- Field Marks: The following combination of characters distinguishes this sedge: stigmas 2, achenes lenticular, a solitary male spike (sometimes with a few female flowers), ovoid, granular perigynia with an abrupt beak and a very short stalk at th
- Habitat: In and along streams and the edges of lakes; wet meadows, particularly in the mountains.
- Habit: Clump-forming perennial with thickened rootstocks.
- Stems: Upright, up to 1 1/2 feet tall, shorter than the leaves, without hairs but somewhat rough to the touch near the inflorescence.
- Leaves: Elongated, flat and sometimes channeled, up to 1/8 inch wide, smooth.
- Flowers: Borne in 4-6 spikes, the terminal spike with mostly all male flowers, the others with all female flowers and sessile; spikes up to 2 inches long, up to 1/4 inch wide; scales oblong to ovate, purple-brown to black, narrower and slightly
- Sepals: O.
- Petals: O.
- Stamens: 3.
- Pistils: Enclosed in a perigynium, the perigynium ovoid, pale green, granular, finely nerved, up to 1/8 inch long, abruptly beaked with a short, dark-colored beak and a short stalk at the base; stigmas 2.
- Fruits: Achenes lenticular, 1/12-1/10 inch long, smooth.
- Notes: The achenes are eaten by waterfowl.
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