P h o t o b y K S N P C S t a f f
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Habitat:
Swamps, sinkhole ponds, often on floating logs; also often growing on cypress knees, cypress bases (often at or near water level) (Weakley 1998)..
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Species Description:
Perennial herb.
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Phenology:
Flowering Period: Early April to late May.
Fruiting Period: Mid May to mid July.
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Additional Information at NatureServe
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Diagnostic Characteristics:
Carex decomposita can be distinguished by the combination of dark-colored (dark green to brown) perigynia, and leaf sheaths that are dotted with purple or red. The perigynia also contract abruptly into a short beak. In contrast, C. sparganioides has thin, winged, light green perigynia and mottled, green and white leaf sheaths.
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Management:
Avoid changes in hydrologic conditions at the site. Changes could result from overstory removal, stream alteration or impacts due to erosion. Exotic pest plants are a threat to this species
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Global Range:
A southern species once ranging from New York to Michigan, and southward to northern Florida and eastern Texas. The range has retreated within the last century, particularly in the north and east. Most northerly extant site is in southern Ohio. Possibly extirpated in New York, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
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Known Kentucky Occurrences:
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