Carex laxiflora Lamarck. Section: [26bb] Section 19 Laxiflorae. Broad Loose-flowered Sedge. Phen: Apr-Jun. Hab: In a wide range of moist to dry, acidic to nutrient-rich forests. Dist: NL west to ON, south to GA, FL Panhandle, MS, and LA.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Varieties have been recognized; their appropriate disposition is uncertain. Var. laxiflora ranges from ME and s. QC west to WI and IN, south to NC, TN, and AL; allegedly also in s. Mexico. Var. serrulata F.J. Hermann has been reported for our area by Hill & Horn (1997). Its range is stated by F to be NY and PA to MI, IN, and TN. It differs in being distinctly scabrous (vs. smooth to scaberulous), and in having the bract sheaths with serrulate angles (vs. entire or erose angles).

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, FNA23, Il, K3, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, Tat, Tn, Va, W, Mackenzie (1931-1935); ? Carex heterosperma Wahlenb. – S; < Carex laxiflora Lam. var. laxiflora – G; > Carex laxiflora Lam. var. laxiflora – F, K1, Mo1; > Carex laxiflora Lam. var. serrulata F.J.Herm. – F, K1

Show in key(s) | Show Carex section in key

Show parent genus

Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
• Great Plains: FACU
• Midwest: UPL
• Northcentral & Northeast: UPL

Heliophily ⓘ: 2