Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States The Oval Sedges

About this book

A common group of plants in the Midwest's natural areas, the oval sedges supply food for wildlife while their roots bind the soil and their vegetation creates habitat. Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges offers a guide to the identification, distribution, and natural history of this diverse group of plants. Focused on the Carex section Cyperoideae, the editors cover Illinois' twenty-five species, every oval sedge in Indiana and Kentucky, and nearly every species in Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. A two-step process helps users recognise the notoriously difficult-to-identify plants while illustrations and labelled photographs aid users in evaluating morphological characteristics. The editors also furnish first-ever distribution maps for Illinois' recently described species and varieties, plus up-to-date maps for nearly every other species.

Drawing on the study of thousands of specimens, Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges is an invaluable resource for botanists, ecologists, environmental engineers, and professional and amateur environmentalists interested in a deeper understanding of these essential plants.

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
An Introduction to Sedges
Distinguishing the Carex Sedges
A Brief History of Oval Sedges
Distinguishing Oval Sedges from other Carex Sections
Notes on Identification and Using This Book
Measurement Tools
Measurement Variation
Depauperate Specimens
Seasonal Variation
Specimen Maturity
Dried & Fresh Specimens
Habit & Growth Form
Leaves & Sheaths
Spike
Perigynia & Pistillate Scales
Perigynium Venation
Quick ID Groups
Guide to Species Pages

SPECIES ACCOUNTS:
Carex alata Torrey
Carex albolutescens Schweinitz
Carex bebbii (L.H. Bailey) Olney ex Fernald
Carex bicknellii Britton
Carex brevior (Dewey) Mackenzie ex Lunell
Carex crawfordii Fernald
Carex cristatella Britton
Carex cumulata (L.H. Bailey) Mackenzie
Carex echinodes (Fernald) P.E. Rothrock, Reznicek, & Hipp
Carex festucacea Schkuhr ex Willdenow
Carex longii Mackenzie
Carex missouriensis P.E. Rothrock & Reznicek
Carex molesta Mackenzie ex Bright
Carex molestiformis Reznicek & P.E. Rothrock
Carex muskingumensis Schweinitz
Carex normalis Mackenzie
Carex opaca (F.J. Hermann) P.E. Rothrock & Reznicek
Carex praticola Rydberg
Carex projecta Mackenzie
Carex reniformis (L.H. Bailey) Small
Carex scoparia Schkuhr ex Willdenow
Carex straminea Willdenow ex Schkuhr
Carex suberecta (Olney) Britton
Carex tenera Dewey
Carex tribuloides Wahlenberg var. sangamonensis Clokey
Carex tribuloides Wahlenberg var. tribuloides

Additional Photographs
Glossary
References
Index
About the Authors
State of Illinois Counties
Metric Ruler
Blank Pages for Field Notes
Specimens Photographed

Customer Reviews

Biography

Michael Murphy is a botanist at the Illinois Natural History Survey.

Greg Spyreas is a plant ecology and botany research scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey and an adjunct assistant professor of natural resources and environmental sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Paul Marcum is an associate botanist and an associate botany project leader for the wetland science program at the Illinois Natural History Survey.