Navajo Sedge
Carex specuicola
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2G3
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Carex specuicola is federally listed as threatened species known from San Juan County, Utah; Apache, Coconino and Navajo Counties, Arizona. This rare species grows along the San Juan River in hanging garden habitat and sandstone alcoves. Navajo Sedge has a congested spikelet inflorescence with both male and female flowers, the female flowers are arranged above the male flowers. The inconspicuous inflorescence grows on the top of long, loosely bunched leaves and triangular stems that you can feel the edges of by rolling them between your fingers.
Description
Carex specuicola is federally listed as threatened species known from San Juan County, Utah; Apache, Coconino and Navajo Counties, Arizona. This rare species grows along the San Juan River in hanging garden habitat and sandstone alcoves. Navajo Sedge has a congested spikelet inflorescence with both male and female flowers, the female flowers are arranged above the male flowers. The inconspicuous inflorescence grows on the top of long, loosely bunched leaves and triangular stems that you can feel the edges of by rolling them between your fingers.
Phenology
Flowers in late June and July
Diagnostic characteristics
Carex specuicola is unusual in having both two-branched styles and three-branched styles. It can be distinguished from Carex aurea by having flat perigynia and also by having the female flowers arranged above the male flowers in a terminal spikelet.
Species range
Found along the San Juan River of San Juan County, Utah. Also found in Apache, Coconino and Navajo Counties, Arizona
Threats or limiting factors
Carex specuicola relies heavily on local hydrology systems that create the lush, vertical seeps and springs known as hanging gardens where it grows.ongoing drought and development that limits water-flow to populations along with grazing are threats to this species.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies