Fig. 1. Carex rostrata Stokes, typical (on the left) and C. rostrata cf. f. maxima Andersson (on the right) (both Finland, Lohja, Muijala, 1984). – Image: Harri Harmaja (scanned from dried specimens). – These morphs of C. rostrata (Cyperaceae) grew together in a small eutrophic fen with e.g. Carex dioica, Eriophorum latifolium, and Salix myrtilloides). The morph on the right is taller, has bigger perigynia, and also differs in some additional respects from typical C. rostrata of Finland. The plant somewhat resembles C. utriculata Boott of North America but does not appear identical, though. The basal part of the plant in the image was not collected. However, in a few other, likewise more or less eutrophic peatland localities in different parts of Finland, I have collected similar-looking morphs that have usually possessed reddish basal sheaths and robust subterranean stolons.
Fig. 2. Carex rostrata Stokes, morph with female spikes that are narrow and bear very sparse perigynia downwards (Finland, Vantaa, Riipilä, 2002). – Image: Harri Harmaja (scanned from dried specimen). – Possibly an abnormality without taxonomic value is concerned.
It is not unusual to find Carex individuals and whole stands that possess deviating perigynia, especially as to size. Besides the present morphs and those presented on other web pages of mine, I have also found two occurrences (Lohja, Vihti) of C. loliacea L. with small spikes and perigynia. C. panicea L. is variable; its var. microcarpa Sonder (Lohja) has small perigynia. C. pilulifera L. was found variable, likewise C. cespitosa L. which the Russian and Estonian flora works in fact often distinguish as an aggregate of species.
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Created May 25, 2008. |