keys to the vascular plants of east texas - Botanical Research ...

552 CYPERACEAE/CAREX
Mar–May(–Jun). The fruits are reportedly dispersed by ants, with a whitish swelling near the
base of the perigynium acting as an elaiosome (= appendage used in dispersal by ants or other
insects) (Gaddy 1986). Section Laxiflorae
Carex stricta Lam., (erect), TUSSOCK CARIC SEDGE, UPRIGHT CARIC SEDGE. A facultative heliophyte
but also does well in shady areas, marshes, wet meadows, pond margins, and most frequently in
semi-open boggy Sphagnum creek bottoms; Anderson, Freestone, Gonzales, Henderson, Robertson,
and Walker cos.; se Canada and e U.S. from ME s to NC w to KS, also MS and TX. Fruiting
Mar–May. Section Phacocystis
Carex styloflexa Buckley, (with curved style), BENT CARIC SEDGE. A facultative sciophyte in
mesic to hydric areas, edges of bogs but most frequently along margins of acid streams in
mixed pine/hardwood or hardwood forests; mainly s Pineywoods; also Harris Co. in the n Gulf
Prairies and Marshes; e U.S. from NY s to FL w to OH, LA, and TX. Fruiting Apr–May(–Jun). Section
Laxiflorae
Carex tenax Chapm. ex Dewey, (holding fast), HOLD-FAST CARIC SEDGE, WIRE CARIC SEDGE. A
plant of open pine or pine/oak sand barrens which grows in full sun or partial shade; Hardin,
Newton, Shelby, and Tyler cos. in the se Pineywoods; se U.S. from NC s to FL w to TX. Fruiting
late Apr–mid-Jun. Section Halleranae m/281
Carex tetrastachya Scheele, (four-spike), FOUR-ANGLE CARIC SEDGE, BRITTON’S CARIC SEDGE. A facultative
heliophyte found in open, moist to wet sites, wet prairies, roadside ditches, open swamp
and marsh edges, less in open low woods, most frequently in calcareous soils; as presently circumscribed
(there is significant infraspecific variation present that is being studied): s part of
the Pineywoods, most of the Post Oak Savannah, and Blackland Prairie; also Cross Timbers and
Prairies, s and ne Rolling Plains, Edwards Plateau, South TX Plains, and Gulf Prairies and Marshes;
LA, OK, and TX. Fruiting Mar–May(–early Jun). [C. brittoniana L.H. Bailey] Section Ovales
Carex texensis (Torr.) L.H. Bailey, (of Texas), TEXAS CARIC SEDGE. In submesic to mesic, rocky or
sandy woods and fields, at home in sun or partial to moderate shade; throughout the Pineywoods
and the e edge of the Post Oak Savannah; also ne part of the Gulf Prairies and Marshes; e
1/2 of U.S. except extreme midwest, also CA. Fruiting mid-Mar–mid-May(–early Jun). [C.
retroflexa Muhl. ex Willd. var. texensis (Torr.) Fernald] Downer and Hyatt (2003) discussed differences
between this species and the similar C. retroflexa. Section Phaestoglochin
Carex triangularis Boeck., (triangular), TRIANGULAR CARIC SEDGE, EASTERN FOX CARIC SEDGE. A
facultative heliophyte in open wet roadside ditches and in open wet areas in floodplains, rarely
under closed canopies, usually in alluvial clay soils; throughout most of East TX sw to DeWitt
Co. in the Post Oak Savannah; also the Gulf Prairies and Marshes from the Coastal Bend area
northeastward; from TN and MS w to KS and TX. Fruiting (Apr–)May–Jun. Section Multiflorae
Carex tribuloides Wahlenb. var. sangamonensis Clokey, (sp.: resembling Tribulus—caltrop; var.:
from Sangamon, IL), SANGAMON CALTROP CARIC SEDGE. A facultative sciophyte, frequently in
the open in bottomlands, swales, swamp margins, low wet deciduous woods, and marshes,
though designated here as a sciophyte, it appears to do well in shade or sun; throughout much
of the Pineywoods, the e Post Oak Savannah, the e part of the Red River drainage, and the ne
part of the Blackland Prairie; also the ne part of the Gulf Prairies and Marshes; e U.S. from OH s
to AL w to KS and TX, also SC. Fruiting May–Aug. Section Ovales
Carex typhina Michx., (resembling Typha—cat-tail), CAT-TAIL CARIC SEDGE. A facultative
sciophyte found in rich bottomland hardwood forests; ne part of the Post Oak Savannah, e part
of the Red River drainage, and the e edge of the Pineywoods from Jasper Co. northward; se
Canada and widespread in e U.S. w to MN and LA, also TX. Fruiting May–Aug. Section
Squarrosae m/281