Found this thing on a wet rocky lakeshore. It never flowered, so I have no idea what it is. Stems >1m tall and >1cm wide. Strongly triangular. Very distinct, truncate, reddened collar area. Inner stem is arenchyma. Can anyone help?
It's a Carex. As to which one, best I can suggest is to find a resource that discusses the sedges of whatever area you found this in and try to narrow it down to a grouping (there are artificial groups you might be able to place it in, like http://ontariograsses.com/sedges/crsedges.php)
Thanks Daniel! I am curious how you know that it is a carex and not something like a cyperus, or something else in the family cyperaceae? I will check out the link.
I think in Cyperus (of Alberta), the leaves should all be basal. I suppose it could be a member of the old Scirpus (before the genus was split). On a second look, I am unsure as to whether this property: via Flora of North America is only found in Carex or can also be found in that broad definition of Scirpus.
Yeah that is a good point to consider. I suppose that if it hasn't flowered yet it is probably a phyllopodic stem that wil do so next season. Thanks for the information. I will be sure to post back here if I come to some diagnosis of this specimen.
