Carex spectabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Carex
Species:	C. spectabilis
Binomial name
Carex spectabilis Dewey
Synonyms[1]
Carex invisa L.H.Bailey Carex melastoma Fisch. Carex melastoma Fisch. ex Boott Carex nigella Boott Carex spectabilis f. alpina Holm Carex spectabilis f. chrysantha Holm Carex spectabilis var. elegantula Holm Carex spectabilis var. gelida Holm Carex spectabilis var. superba Holm Carex tolmiei Boott Carex tolmiei var. invisa (L.H.Bailey) Kük. Carex tolmiei var. nigella (Boott) Kük. Carex tolmiei var. nigella (Boott) L.H.Bailey

Carex spectabilis is a species of sedge known by the common name showy sedge.

Description

Carex spectabilis produces clusters of stems 50 to 90 centimeters in maximum height, sometimes from rhizomes. The inflorescence is an erect to heavily nodding cluster of flowers covered in dark purplish scales. The fruit is coated in a perigynium which is pale yellowish to dark purple to black.

Distribution

This sedge is native to northwestern North America from Alaska to the Northwestern United States, and in California and Utah. Carex spectabilis grows in moist mountain habitat in subalpine to alpine climates.

References

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment - Carex spectabilis
• USDA Plants Profile: Carex spectabilis
• Flora of North America
• Carex spectabilis - Photo gallery

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