415.
Carex
viridula
Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 170. 1803.
Greenish sedge, carex verdâtre
Plants cespitose. Culms straight or arcuate, 2—85 cm. Leaves of flowering stems shorter than to exceeding culms, to 20 cm × 0.8—5.4 mm; ligules on distal cauline leaves usually obsolete (except in 414.b Carex viridula subsp. brachyrrhyncha). Inflorescences: peduncles of terminal staminate spikes 0—28 mm; bracts to 18 cm × 0.6—3.4 mm; inner band of sheaths concave or truncate. Spikes: proximal pistillate spikes 1—8, contiguous or proximal distant, sessile or short-pedunculate, globose to short-cylindric, 4—17.5 × 3—11 mm; terminal staminate spike sessile or pedunculate, 5—25 × 1—3.6 mm. Scales: pistillate scales pale brown to reddish brown, 1.4—3.2 × 0.8—1.7 mm, margins pale, narrow, hyaline; staminate scales reddish brown, lanceolate to ovate, 2.3—5.2 × 0.7—2 mm, margins narrowly pale hyaline, apex obtuse to acuminate. Anthers 0.9—3.1 mm. Perigynia spreading, yellow to dark olive, 1.8—4.2 × 0.8—2 mm, apex gradually or abruptly narrowed; beak straight or reflexed less than 20°, 0.3—2.1 mm, scabrous or smooth. Achenes 1—1.8 × 0.7—1.4 mm.
Subspecies 3 (3 in the flora): North America, Europe, Asia, Africa (Morocco).
