Carex capillaris L. Habitat: Damp, springy, or mossy calcareous
woods, thickets, shores, and wooded swamps. [Rocky summits and
outcrops (non-forested, upland); Non-tidal rivershore (non-
forested, seasonally wet); Forested wetland; Open wetland, not
coastal nor rivershore (non-forested, wetland)] Range:
Arctic/alpine regions of Canada south to New England, and west
across the northern U.S. to Saskatchewan. Aids to
Identification: Identification of species of the Carex genus is
usually difficult and dependent upon rather technical
characters. C. capillaris is the sole species in our region in
the section Capillares. It is identified by its densely tufted
growth, cluster of basal leaves, spreading pistillate spikes,
and its 2-ribbed, short-beaked, elliptic perigynia, 2.4-3.3mm
long. Ecological characteristics: In Maine this sedge is known
to occur in a variety of calcium-rich, wet habitats, including
ledges, talus slopes, ditches, cedar swamps, and bogs.
Phenology: Fruits late June - August. Synonyms: Formerly i