Palm Sedge

Discussion in 'Plants: Nomenclature and Taxonomy' started by Raniusia, Sep 22, 2006.

  1. Raniusia

    Raniusia Member

    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Katowice Poland
    I wonder if anyone could enlighten me - variegated palm sedge(Carex muskingumensis) 'Oehme' and
    cultivars named 'Variegata' or 'Aureovariagata' - are they the same plant?
    Or are there _any_ separate variegated cultivars of this sedge other than
    'Oehme'? (I have googled, BTW, and 'Variegata' comes up in a handful of
    Swedish, German, Russian, Belgian and lots of Polish pages. Nowhere else -
    so I think the name might not be correct).

    And another question - can you recommend some reference book on grasses,
    sedges and the like? I have Darke's Encyclopedia and it is excellent - but
    perhaps you have come across something more comprehensive yet?

    R.
     
  2. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    10,574
    Likes Received:
    615
    Location:
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    I've tried to find the ICRA (International Cultivar Registration Authority for Carex, Cyperaceae or sedges - none seem to exist, which is where I'd point you to if one did.

    As you've rightly figured, 'Variegata' and 'Aureovariegata' are generally unreliable as cultivar names - they are too easily misapplied or more properly applied to a whole group. I can't offer any clarity for your question.

    As for grass and sedge books, hmm... what are you primarily looking for in a book? ID? Cultivation and cultural requirements? Listings of cultivars? Species?
     
  3. Raniusia

    Raniusia Member

    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Katowice Poland
    Thanks for replying! I had no idea that there is no "official" registry for Carex cultivars, it would seem worthwhile, there are so many beautiful plants worth cultivating.

    As for books - I am looking mostly for both ID pointers for the species and cultivar descriptions. I have heard that a new edition of Darke's Encyclopedia is forthcoming in 2007, and I intend to get it, but still - more books the better.

    R.
     
  4. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    10,574
    Likes Received:
    615
    Location:
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Ornamental Grasses by Roger Grounds is probably worth having, as it lists both species and cultivars. It is definitely geared toward gardening.

    I would, however, say that the definitive book has not yet been written (that I'm aware of). For a more scientific treatment, you need to delve into regional floras and the like.
     

Share This Page