Carex tonsa (Fernald) Bicknell

Locations ofCarex tonsa (Fernald) Bicknell in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Cyperaceae
Botanical Name
Carex tonsa (Fernald) Bicknell
Common Name
Shaved Sedge
Synonym(s)
Carex umbellata, in part
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Carex tonsa (Fernald) Bicknell
Comments
Carex tonsa is the most frequent member of the Carex umbellata complex in Virginia and the most distinctive. Early leaves are often short, broad at the base and tapering for their length, thus awl-shaped. This, coupled with the very long-beaked perigynia with its glabrous body are a unique combination. At full maturity (when the plant is "shelling out"), the achenes are nearly black, almost round, and dimpled apically. The map is based mostlyly on specimens in major Virginia herbaria determined by Wieboldt in 2013; probably present in every county.
Habitat
Dry forests, woodlands, and clearings, often in heavy, red clay soil, but also in a variety of other soil types.
Native Status
Native

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