35.
Carex
muehlenbergii
Schkuhr ex Willdenow, Sp. Pl. 4(1): 231. 1805.
Plants without conspicuous rhizomes. Culms 20—90 cm, 1.7—2.2 mm wide basally, 0.7—1.1 mm wide distally. Leaves: sheaths tight, green, sometimes white spotted, fronts hyaline, sometimes transversely rugose, mouth yellowish and thickened; ligules to 3 mm, usually wider than long; widest leaf blades 2—4 mm wide, papillose adaxially. Inflorescences with 3—10 spikes, 1.5—4 cm × 8—12 mm; proximal internodes equaling or shorter than proximal spikes; proximal bracts less than 2 cm; spikes with 8—20 ascending or spreading perigynia. Pistillate scales hyaline with green, 3-veined center, ovate to ovate-circular, body narrower than and 2/3 to length of perigynium, apex acute or with awn 0.5—1.5(—2) mm. Anthers 1.5—2.3 mm. Perigynia pale green to yellow-brown, 9—15-veined abaxially, margins serrulate distally; beak 0.2—1.2mm, apical teeth 0.2—0.5 mm. Achenes suborbiculate, 1.9—2.2 × 1.9—2.1 mm.
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora): North America.
