The genus Carex of Renfrew County:
A comparative study

By Grant A. Bickel, 2023

Carex x subviridula Fernald (Section CERATOCYSTIS)

This is a sterile hybrid between Carex viridula and Carex flava and has been encountered a few times in Renfrew County where both parents are found. It seems to be a very robust plant forming large clumps (Figure 7). For the two examples I have found, both sexes occur on the spikelets; either having staminate spikes with a cluster of peryginia (Figures 2-5) or having androgynous pistillate spikes (Figures 6 and 7). The peryginia of the hybrid have morphology intermediate between the two parents and are always empty (Figure 1).

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Achenes, perigynia and scales of Carex x_viridula

Figure 1. Achenes, perigynia and scales of hybrid and parents.
Inflorescence of Carex x subviridula

Figure 2. Inflorescence.
Habit of Carex x subviridula

Figure 3. Habit.
Habit of Carex x subviridula

Figure 4. Inflorescence.
Inflorescence of Carex x subviridula

Figure 5. Inflorescence.
Inflorescence of Carex x subviridula

Figure 6. Inflorescence.
Habit of Carex x subviridula

Figure 7. Habit.
An occurrence map of Carex viridula in Renfrew County

Figure 8. Occurence map for Renfrew County and surrounding area.