Botany Blog Plants of the Northeastern U.S.

Squarrose Sedge (Carex squarrosa) is a sedge of swampy woods and thickets that can easily be identified in the field. A stout, tufted sedge that can grow to a height of nearly 1 m, it has inflated perigynia (sacs) with abruptly narrowed beaks that are tightly packed on 1-2 (sometimes 3) spherical to ovoid spikes. The term squarrose means spreading, referring to the arrangement of the perigynia on the spike. The persistent style of the achene has a distinct bend to it, distinguishing it from the straight or slightly curved style of Cattail Sedge (Carex typhina).

Many years ago I developed a fascination with cold-hardy cacti. There are several Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pears) that naturally occur in the Midwest and one in the Northeastern U.S. (Opuntia humifusa).

Spinystar (Coryphantha vivipara) is quite different and only occurs as far east as Minnesota. It has bright magenta flowers and a single, cylindric stem. This species can be grown in the Northeast but may develop rot near the base if it is allowed to get too wet, particularly during cold weather. This is probably what naturally limits its range to the west.

The spring ephemerals are really brightening up the woods now. We are fortunate in central NY to have many calcareous woodlands boasting large populations of large white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum).

All trilliums are protected in New York State because they are considered exploitably vulnerable.  Plants are considered to be exploitably vulnerable when they are “likely to become threatened in the near future throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges within the state if causal factors continue unchecked” (NYCRR §193.3). While it may seem unnecessary to protect a plant that can be locally abundant, this and other trilliums are often lacking in forests with a history of disturbance, particularly forests that have established on formerly cultivated land.

References:

New York State Register and Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR) http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/regulations.html