Ross's sedge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ross's sedge |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Carex
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| Species: |
rossii
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Carex rossii, also called Ross's sedge, is a tough type of sedge plant. Sedges look a bit like grasses but have solid, triangular stems. Ross's sedge is often one of the first plants to grow in places where there isn't much other plant life. This can be in areas that are new or where something has disturbed the ground, like a fire or a landslide. You can find Ross's sedge in many different places across western North America. It grows from Alaska all the way to Ontario in Canada, and south into the United States in states like New Mexico and California. This plant usually blooms in May and June.
What is Ross's Sedge Like?
Ross's sedge grows in a thick clump or a solid mat. It has thin stems that can reach about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. These stems grow from a shallow network of underground stems called rhizomes. Rhizomes help the plant spread and store energy.
The leaves of Ross's sedge are usually longer than its stems. They can be light green or a darker green. The plant's flowers grow in groups called inflorescences. These groups have one or more male flower spikes at the top. Below them are more rounded female flower spikes. The fruit of the sedge is three-sided. It is covered in a greenish or brownish case called a perigynium.
Where Does Ross's Sedge Grow?
Ross's sedge is native to many parts of North America. It is very common in Alaska and the cold, northern parts of Canada. This includes places like Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon Territory. It also grows across western Canada in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
In the United States, you can find it in many states. These include Arizona, California, Colorado, the Dakotas, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Sometimes, it can also be found in Ontario, Michigan, and Nebraska.
This plant is very adaptable! It can grow in many different types of places. You might see it in both wet and dry areas. It thrives in forests, sagebrush areas, open prairies, and high alpine meadows.
