Showy sedge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carex spectabilis |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: |
C. spectabilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Carex spectabilis |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Carex invisa |
|
Carex spectabilis, also known as the showy sedge, is a type of sedge plant. Sedges are grass-like plants that often grow in wet places. This plant gets its name "showy" because its flowers can be quite noticeable.
Where Showy Sedge Grows
This interesting plant is found in the northwestern parts of North America. You can see it growing from Alaska all the way down to the Northwestern United States. It also grows in California and Utah.
Showy sedge loves to live in moist mountain areas. It grows in places that are high up, from subalpine to alpine climates. Subalpine means just below the treeline, while alpine is above the treeline where it's very cold and windy.
What Showy Sedge Looks Like
Carex spectabilis grows in groups of stems. These stems can reach a height of about 50 to 90 centimeters, which is roughly 20 to 35 inches tall. Sometimes, these plants grow from underground stems called rhizomes. Rhizomes help the plant spread out.
The plant's flowers grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster can stand straight up or hang down quite a bit. The flowers are covered in dark purplish scales, which makes them look unique.
After the flowers, the plant produces fruit. Each fruit is covered by a special sac called a perigynium. This sac can be light yellowish, dark purple, or even black.
