CYPERUS RETROFRACTUS (L) Torrey
Rough Umbrella-sedge
FAMILY: Cyperaceae
SYNONYMS: Cyperus
retrofractus (L.) Torrey var. dipsaciformis (Fernald) Kukenthal.
HABIT: Herbaceous perennial from a short, thick rhizome
with corm-like enlargements; culms 2.5-8 dm.; fruiting August-September.
SIMILAR
SPECIES: Very similar to Cyperus
lancastriensis, from which it can be distinguished only with
difficulty. Close examination of
technical characters of the scales and spikelets is required. Superficially resembles the common C.
strigosus, but differs in its strongly reflexed lower spikelets with terete
or angled, not compressed scales.
TOTAL
RANGE: GA to MO, n. to NJ and OH.
STATE
RANGE: There are post-1950 collections
from Gallia and Jackson counties. There
is a pre-1950 specimen from Hocking County.
STATE
STATUS: 1980 to present: Endangered.
HABITAT: A variety of open, dry situations, usually
in sandy soil; fields, open woods, clearings, barrens.
HAZARDS: Overshading by woody species as a result of
succession; soil compaction.
RECOVERY
POTENTIAL: Probably good, since it is
tolerant of moderate disturbance.
INVENTORY
GUIDELINES: Collect complete mature
specimens.
COMMENTS: When typical, this is a fairly distinctive
sedge. However, it is very difficult to
determine accurately many Ohio specimens of C. dipsaciformis and C.
lancastriensis. They not only grow
in the same habitats, but also seem to intergrade with one another. This taxonomic problem deserves serious
study.
C. dipsaciformis occasionally
is treated as a variety of C. retrofractus. The specific rank is retained here, however, pending more
information.
This species should be sought
throughout southern Ohio.
SELECTED REFERENCES:
Radford,
A.E., H.E. Ahles and C.R. Bell.
1968. Manual of the vascular
flora of the Carolinas. Univ. of North
Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 1183
p.
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Created: 2/1982 Allison
W. Cusick
Database Code:
SPGJ.J54