P h o t o b y U n i v e r s i t y o f T e n n e s s e e H e r b a r i u m ( T E N N )
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Habitat:
Mesic forests (Weakley 1998); in KY, wooded south-facing slopes between 3600 and 3800 ft (Jones 2005).
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Species Description:
A perennial sedge about 4-5 dm tall, from short rootstocks; culms 6-8.5 dm high, equaling or somewhat exceeding the leaves. Leaves with well-developed blades, 3-5 to a fertile culm; blades 1.2-4.5 dm long, 2.5-4.5 mm wide. Spikes 3-4, linear-cylindric, 2-5.5 (average 4.5) cm long, 2-3 mm wide. Achenes triangular-ellipsoid, 2.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, tawny brown, densely spotted with dark red, conspicuously jointed with the short, straight style; stigmas 3, dark reddish brown.
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Phenology:
Flowering Period: Early June to late July.
Fruiting Period: Early July to late August.
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Additional Information at NatureServe
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Diagnostic Characteristics:
Carex roanensis has achenes with large red spots and these are stipitate. The hirsute perigynia are longer and narrower than most similar species. Culms are fairly uniform in length.
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Management:
Disturbance of surrounding area such as ATV trails, timber removal or any activity that results in increased erosion and weed invasion will be detrimental. Exotic pest plants are a threat to this species.
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Global Range:
Extant in Unicoi County and historical in Carter County, Tennessee. North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.
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Known Kentucky Occurrences:
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