Description
Alpine-nerved Sedge is a perennial, grass-like plant with stems, 2-8 dm long, that are clustered on short to elongate rootstocks. The lowest leaves are reduced to scales. Leaves with flat blades, 3-4 mm wide, are crowded just above these scales. Leaf sheaths surrounding the stem just below point of attachment on the side opposite the blade are pale with distinct crossribs. Flowers occur in globose clusters (spikes), which are crowded into an egg-shaped or oblong head at the stem tip. The narrowly lance-shaped female flowers (perigynia), 3-4 mm long, are tapered into an indistinct beak. A few male flowers (recognized by old stamens) occur at the top of each spike. Egg-shaped scales are shorter than the perigynia they subtend and are brown and papery. There are 2 styles, and the achene is lens-shaped.
Diagnostic Characteristics
There are many wetland sedges similar to C. NEUROPHORA. Most have perigynia that are broadest near the middle (egg-shaped), while those of C. NEUROPHORA are broadest at the base. C. JONESII and C. CUSICKII do not have distinct crossribs on the upper leaf sheaths. C. STIPATA has crossribs, but the perigynia are greater than 4 mm long. A hand lens and technical manual should be used for positive identification.