Scirpus pungens - (image 1 of 4)
Taxonomy
Family: Cyperaceae
Habitat
Marshy borders of ponds and streams. Mudbars of rivers, ditches.
Associates
Occurs in shallow water is Brasenia schreberi, Nuphar advena, Nymphaea tuberosa, Peltandra virginica, Polygonum amphibium stipulaceum, Pontederia cordata, Scirpus validus.
Distribution
Throughout North America and many other parts of the world.
Morphology
Rhizomatous, colonial perennial to 1.5 m. Leaves not exceeding half the length of the culm. Culms sharply triangular; bract subtending inflorescence solitary, erect, resembling the culm, and appearing to be an extension of it. Stigmas prevailingly 2; perianth bristles mostly less than the length of the achene, the apiculus less than 5 mm long. 2n=78
Notes
Flowers early May to late September
Wetland indicator: Obligate
Formerly misapplied to S. americanus, which is more appropriately regarded as a synonym of S. olneyi A. Gray, a plant of saline conditions with a single involucral bract no longer than 3.5 cm long, and mucros (sharp, slender points) no longer than the lobes.
References
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of
Northeastern United States
and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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Michael Hough © 2005 |