Carex spectabilis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carex spectabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Carex
Species:	C. spectabilis
Binomial name
Carex spectabilis Dewey
Synonyms
Carex invisa Carex nigella Carex tolmiei

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

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.

Carex spectabilis clump at 11,000 ft (3,400 m)

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.