Cyperus schweinitzii Torr. | Species Image Gallery (opens in a new window) |
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TAXONOMY | |||||||||||||||||||||
Family: | Cyperaceae | ||||||||||||||||||||
Genus: | Cyperus | ||||||||||||||||||||
Species Synonyms: | Cyperus X mesochoreus Geise Cyperus schweinitzii var. uberior Kükenth. Mariscus schweinitzii (Torr.) T. Koyama |
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Common Names: | Schweinitz’s sedge sand flatsedge Schweinitz’s umbrella-sedge |
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DISTRIBUTION | |||||||||||||||||||||
Canada: | Alberta – Ontario – southwestern Quebec | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saskatchewan: | southern to central Saskatchewan; Artland – Dundurn - Roche Percee | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ecoregion: | Mixed Grassland, Moist Mixed Grassland, Boreal Transition | ||||||||||||||||||||
HABITAT | |||||||||||||||||||||
Saskatchewan: | active sand dune blowouts | ||||||||||||||||||||
Associated Species: | green milkweed, Manitoba maple, prairie sandreed, prickly pear, sand dropseed, silky prairie clover, streambank wheatgrass | ||||||||||||||||||||
RARITY STATUS | |||||||||||||||||||||
Provincial
Status According to Harms (2003): |
Vulnerable |
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Nature Conservancy Status: | G5 S2 |
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Saskatchewan
Species at Risk Status: |
None |
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COSEWIC Status: | None |
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Schweinitz’s sedge is vulnerable in Saskatchewan because it is rare and limited to sand dune complexes, making it somewhat regionally restricted. The sand dune environment is fragile, which poses a threat to this species. | |||||||||||||||||||||
SPECIES DESCRIPTION | |||||||||||||||||||||
Height: | 20 – 50 cm | ||||||||||||||||||||
Roots: | rhizome, thickenings present at base of stem | ||||||||||||||||||||
Culms: | perennial, 1 – 2 mm wide, three-angled, hairless or rough hairy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves: | 20 – 35 cm long, 2 – 6 mm wide, flat to V-shaped, margin rough; basal sheaths 1 – 3, 1 – 4 cm long, papery, light brown | ||||||||||||||||||||
Inflorescence: | spikes 10 – 25 mm long, arrangement ovoid to umbrella-like; rays 3 – 5, 1.5 – 8 cm long; bracts 3 – 7, 8 – 20 cm long, erect | ||||||||||||||||||||
Spikelets: | 5 – 10 per spike; 7 – 10 mm long, linear; floral scales deciduous, spreading, ovate to oblong, 5 – 6-ribbed, straw-coloured or dull whitish, may be red-spotted, midrib green | ||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers: | stamens 1; styles 0.1 – 0.3 mm long, stigma 1.5 – 3 mm long | ||||||||||||||||||||
Achenes: | broadly ellipsoid, light to dark brown or nearly black, bumpy | ||||||||||||||||||||
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