A common group of plants in the Midwest's natural areas, the oval sedges supply food for wildlife while their roots bind the soil and their vegetation creates habitat. Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges offers a guide to the identification, distribution, and natural history of this diverse group of plants. Focused on the Carex section Cyperoideae, the editors cover Illinois' twenty-five species, every oval sedge in Indiana and Kentucky, and nearly every species in Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. A two-step process helps users recognize the notoriously difficult-to-identify plants while illustrations and labeled photographs aid users in evaluating morphological characteristics. The editors also furnish first-ever distribution maps for Illinois' recently described species and varieties plus up-to-date maps for nearly every other species.

Drawing on the study of thousands of specimens, Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges is an invaluable resource for botanists, ecologists, environmental engineers, and professional and amateur environmentalists interested in a deeper understanding of these essential plants.

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Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

An Introduction to Sedges

Distinguishing the Carex Sedges

A Brief History of Oval Sedges

Distinguishing Oval Sedges from other Carex Sections

Notes on Identification and Using This Book

Measurement Tools

Measurement Variation

Depauperate Specimens

Seasonal Variation

Specimen Maturity

Dried & Fresh Specimens

Habit & Growth Form

Leaves & Sheaths

Spike

Perigynia & Pistillate Scales

Perigynium Venation

Quick ID Groups

Guide to Species Pages

SPECIES ACCOUNTS:

Carex alata Torrey

Carex albolutescens Schweinitz

Carex bebbii (L.H. Bailey) Olney ex Fernald

Carex bicknellii Britton

Carex brevior (Dewey) Mackenzie ex Lunell

Carex crawfordii Fernald

Carex cristatella Britton

Carex cumulata (L.H. Bailey) Mackenzie

Carex echinodes (Fernald) P.E. Rothrock, Reznicek, & Hipp

Carex festucacea Schkuhr ex Willdenow

Carex longii Mackenzie

Carex missouriensis P.E. Rothrock & Reznicek

Carex molesta Mackenzie ex Bright

Carex molestiformis Reznicek & P.E. Rothrock

Carex muskingumensis Schweinitz

Carex normalis Mackenzie

Carex opaca (F.J. Hermann) P.E. Rothrock & Reznicek

Carex praticola Rydberg

Carex projecta Mackenzie

Carex reniformis (L.H. Bailey) Small

Carex scoparia Schkuhr ex Willdenow

Carex straminea Willdenow ex Schkuhr

Carex suberecta (Olney) Britton

Carex tenera Dewey

Carex tribuloides Wahlenberg var. sangamonensis Clokey

Carex tribuloides Wahlenberg var. tribuloides

Additional Photographs

Glossary

References

Index

About the Authors

State of Illinois Counties

Metric Ruler

Blank Pages for Field Notes

Specimens Photographed

|"I am deeply impressed. This work will be of interest to botanists at many levels, from those who have just learned to distinguish the major groups of sedges to those who, like myself, have been working on sedges for decades but still appreciate the insights of careful observers. I'm eager to see...