Rhynchospora capitellata (Michaux) Vahl. Common name: Brownish Beaksedge. Phenology: Jul-Sep. Habitat: Bogs and fens, seepages, and wet rock outcrops in the Mountains and upper Piedmont, also in wet habitats in the Coastal Plain of ne. NC and e. VA, also found in a variety of wet habitats. The only common beaksedge in the higher Mountains of our region. Distribution: NB west to WI and n. NE, south to GA, AL, MS; disjunct in sw. OR and CA.

ID notes: In geographic regions of overlap between R. capitellata and its sister species R. leptocarpa, identification must be done with care. R. leptocarpa differs from R. capitellata in its rather glaucescent stems and leaves (vs. plain green in R. capitellata), lazy stems often parallel to the ground (vs. erect), and restriction to blackwater streamheads and ecotones. R. capitellata has also been confused with R. glomerata, which has larger spikelets and much larger seeds.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Sorrie (2000) clarified the relationships and distinctions of this taxon with R. leptocarpa.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Can, F, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, Mo1, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, Ciafré & Naczi (2022), McMillan (2007), Naczi & Moyer (2017); = Rhynchospora glomerata (L.) Vahl var. minor Britton; = Rynchospora capitellata — S; < Rhynchospora capitellata (Michx.) Vahl — C, FNA23, G, GW1, NSProv, RAB, Tx, Gale (1944); < Rhynchospora glomerata (L.) Vahl, often misapplied; < Rynchospora glomerata var. leptocarpa Chapm. ex Britton — S13. Basionym: Schoenus capitellatus Michx. 1803

Links to other floras: < Rhynchospora capitellata - FNA23

Show in key(s)

Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)

Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Great Plains: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 8