Carex inversa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Knob sedge
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Carex
Species:
C. inversa
Binomial name
Carex inversa
R.Br., 1810

Carex inversa, commonly known as knob sedge, is a species of sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to parts of Australia[1] and New Zealand and has also been introduced into Great Britain.[2]

Description[edit]

The monoecious and rhizomatous perennial grass-like sedge has a tufted habit and typically grows to a height of 0.3 to 0.75 metres (1 to 2 ft). It blooms between September and October producing brown flowers.[1] The plant has a reasonably long rhizome with shoots that are loosely tufted. The smooth and erect culms have a circular cross-section and are usually 10 to 50 cm (3.9 to 19.7 in) in length. The length of the leaves is usually less than that of the culms and have a blade with a width of 0.7 to 2 mm (0.028 to 0.079 in) and are surrounded by dark brown coloured sheaths.[3]

Taxonomy[edit]

The species was described by Robert Brown in 1810 as a part of the work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen[2] from specimens collected from his time in Australia between 1801 and 1806. There are ten synonyms for this species including; Carex inversa var. leichardtii, Carex inversa var. major, Carex inversa var. minor, Carex rhytidocarpa and Vignea inversa.[2]

Distribution[edit]

It is native to parts of Australia, and is often found in winter wet depressions and along creek and rivers throughout a large area through the Wheatbelt, Peel, South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia where it grows in sandy-clay-loam soils.[1] It is also found in south eastern parts of South Australia and southern and eastern parts of Australia extending north into coastal areas of New South Wales and Queensland.[4] The grass also occurs on Norfolk Island.[5] The plant is also commonly found in New Zealand and is regarded as non endemic.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Carex inversa". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  2. ^ a b c "Carex inversa R.Br". Kew Science – Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Carex inversa R.Br". PlantNet. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Carex inversa". Electronic Flora of South Australia species Fact Sheet. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Knob Sedge -native (Carex inversa)". Plants of the Castlemaine District. Castlemaine Flora. 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Carex inversa R.Br". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 3 August 2022.