Carex abscondita Mackenzie. Section: [26dd] Section 21 Careyanae. Thicket Sedge. Phen: Apr-Jun. Hab: Bottomlands, other mesic forests, seepage swamps. Dist: MA south to Panhandle FL, west to TX and OK, and scattered inland.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: C. abscondita is highly variable and needs additional study. Notably, a second species, C. magnifolia Mackenzie, has sometimes been recognized. C. magnifolia differs morphologically from C. abscondita in its larger perigynia, longer leaves, and much more strongly glaucous leaves; it has a more southern distribution and occurs in wetter, boggier habitats in a more restricted range (NC to FL, and disjunct inland in Henderson Co. NC). Manhart (1984) found that C. magnifolia differed chemically from C. abscondita. Further study is needed to verify its taxonomic status.

Other Comments: Naczi (1999b) reports a chromosome number of n = 24.

Synonymy: = Ar, ETx1, FNA23, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mo1, NcTx, NE, NY, Pa, Tn, Va, W, WH3; < Carex abscondita Mack. – C, G, RAB; > Carex abscondita Mack. – S, Mackenzie (1931-1935); > Carex abscondita Mack. var. abscondita – F; > Carex abscondita Mack. var. rostellata Fernald – F; > Carex magnifolia Mack. – S, Mackenzie (1931-1935)

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