Are you good at identifying grasses and sedges at a glance?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by coelacanth, Jul 17, 2012.

  1. coelacanth

    coelacanth Active Member

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    I certainly am not...yet! These three sedge and two grass species were all found in northeastern Illinois. Or perhaps CX1 and CX3 are the same. Yaaag! My Field Guide to Wisconsin Sedges just came in the mail today. Also, does anyone know of a good guide to distinguishing turfgrasses?
     

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  2. Tyrlych

    Tyrlych Rising Contributor 10 Years

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  3. Andrey Zharkikh

    Andrey Zharkikh Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    The first three are sedges, Carex sp. More than 100 Carex species are listed for IL. Their identification is based on many details of the flower, seed, inflorescence and leaf structure. With few exceptions, this cannot be done by a photo.

    #4 - Poa sp - same problems as with sedges.
    #5 - agree with Tyrlych
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2012
  4. coelacanth

    coelacanth Active Member

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    Any guesses on the sedges though? Like down to a few species? Same with the Poa?
     
  5. Daniel Mosquin

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

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    Here's the key to Carex in FNA. The photos provided don't even permit getting beyond the first couplet -- whether each individual plant has 1 or 2+ spikes with flowers.
     
  6. coelacanth

    coelacanth Active Member

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    Hence my need for a Carex expert who can identify them by their post-flowering gestalt at a glance. :) Someday...
     
  7. Daniel Mosquin

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

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    Well, I know the two top experts in Canada, but I'm afraid you'd pretty much get the same response. They look somewhat like Carex bebbii, but how many others look similar to that I don't know.
     
  8. coelacanth

    coelacanth Active Member

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    Thanks for the help! Looks like the USDA calls it Bromus arvensis.
     

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