A common group of plants in the Midwest's natural areas, the oval sedges supply food for wildlife while their roots bind the soil and their vegetation creates habitat. Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges offers a guide to the identification, distribution, and natural history of this diverse group of plants. Focused on the Carex section Cyperoideae, the editors cover Illinois' twenty-five species, every oval sedge in Indiana and Kentucky, and nearly every species in Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. A two-step process helps users recognize the notoriously difficult-to-identify plants while illustrations and labeled photographs aid users in evaluating morphological characteristics. The editors also furnish first-ever distribution maps for Illinois' recently described species and varieties plus up-to-date maps for nearly every other species. Drawing on the study of thousands of specimens, Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States: The Oval Sedges is an invaluable resource for botanists, ecologists, environmental engineers, and professional and amateur environmentalists interested in a deeper understanding of these essential plants.
Michael Murphy is a botanist at the Illinois Natural History Survey. Greg Spyreas is a plant ecology and botany research scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey and an adjunct assistant professor of natural resources and environmental sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Paul Marcum is an associate botanist and an associate botany project leader for the wetland science program at the Illinois Natural History Survey.
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction An Introduction to Sedges Distinguishing the Carex Sedges A Brief History of Oval Sedges Distinguishing Oval Sedges from other Carex Sections Notes on Identification and Using This Book Measurement Tools Measurement Variation Depauperate Specimens Seasonal Variation Specimen Maturity Dried & Fresh Specimens Habit & Growth Form Leaves & Sheaths Spike Perigynia & Pistillate Scales Perigynium Venation Quick ID Groups Guide to Species Pages SPECIES ACCOUNTS: Carex alata Torrey Carex albolutescens Schweinitz Carex bebbii (L.H. Bailey) Olney ex Fernald Carex bicknellii Britton Carex brevior (Dewey) Mackenzie ex Lunell Carex crawfordii Fernald Carex cristatella Britton Carex cumulata (L.H. Bailey) Mackenzie Carex echinodes (Fernald) P.E. Rothrock, Reznicek, & Hipp Carex festucacea Schkuhr ex Willdenow Carex longii Mackenzie Carex missouriensis P.E. Rothrock & Reznicek Carex molesta Mackenzie ex Bright Carex molestiformis Reznicek & P.E. Rothrock Carex muskingumensis Schweinitz Carex normalis Mackenzie Carex opaca (F.J. Hermann) P.E. Rothrock & Reznicek Carex praticola Rydberg Carex projecta Mackenzie Carex reniformis (L.H. Bailey) Small Carex scoparia Schkuhr ex Willdenow Carex straminea Willdenow ex Schkuhr Carex suberecta (Olney) Britton Carex tenera Dewey Carex tribuloides Wahlenberg var. sangamonensis Clokey Carex tribuloides Wahlenberg var. tribuloides Additional Photographs Glossary References Index About the Authors State of Illinois Counties Metric Ruler Blank Pages for Field Notes Specimens Photographed
"I am deeply impressed. This work will be of interest to botanists at many levels, from those who have just learned to distinguish the major groups of sedges to those who, like myself, have been working on sedges for decades but still appreciate the insights of careful observers. I'm eager to see this book in print, and I know many others will be, as well."--Andrew L. Hipp, Director of the Herbarium, The Morton Arboretum
