Rhynchospora macrostachya Torrey ex A. Gray. Tall Horned Beaksedge. Phen: Jul-Sep. Hab: Marshes, tidal marshes, swamps, upland depression ponds, other wetlands. Dist: E. MA south to ne. FL and west to e. TX, north in the interior to sc. TN, s. MI, MO, and KS; disjunct (historically) in s. ME.

ID notes:This is one of four species of robust beaksedges (typically 1-1.5 m tall) that have beaks much longer than the seed bodies. Rhynchospora macrostachya differs from the others in its compact clusters of many spikelets per cluster (vs. open to very open, few to several spikelets per cluster). In R. corniculata, the bristles are shorter than the achene (vs. much longer in R. macrostachya).

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: The recognition of varieties (see synonymy) does not seem to be warranted.

Synonymy: = Ar, C, ETx1, FNA23, G, GrPl, GW1, K1, K3, K4, Mi, NcTx, NE, NY, RAB, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, WH3, McMillan (2007); = Rynchospora macrostachya – S; > Rhynchospora macrostachya Torr. ex A.Gray var. colpophila – F; > Rhynchospora macrostachya Torr. ex A.Gray var. macrostachya – F, Mo1; < Rynchospora corniculata (Lam.) A.Gray) var. macrostachya (Torr. ex A.Gray) Britton – S13

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Wetland Indicator Status:

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

Heliophily: 8