Question: This looks like Carex pensylvanica to me. If that seems right, can I tell for sure now? Photo from April …
-
Question
This looks like Carex pensylvanica to me. If that seems right, can I tell for sure now? Photo from April 14 in central Ma. The flowers are our before the leaves in a good-sized clump in a fairly sunny location.
Answer
Dear markfany, good morning. I cannot identify this plant with confidence while it is in flower. Members of the Carex section Acrocystis (to which Carex pensylvanica belongs) have certain similarities in their spring habit that makes it difficult to rule out some species. With all that written, the plants certainly could be Carex pensylvanica, though this species is rhizomatous and tends to form large colonies. Carex tonsa is another spring-flowering species that often forms more compact colonies like you see here. This will require close examination of the perigynia to be certain. Sorry I cannot help further.
