Rhynchospora globularis var. globularis

Illustrated
Synonyms: Rhynchospora globularis var. obliterata Rhynchospora obliterata
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 23. Treatment on page 227. Mentioned on page 226, 228.
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Illustrator:

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Plants mostly 30–50 cm. Spikelets dark brown, nearly globose to ovoid, mostly 2 mm. Flowers: perianth bristles rarely extending past fruit midbody. Fruit body distinctly transversely wavyrugose, intervals of fine or coarse, vertically rectangular alveolae; tubercle low-conic, distinctly narrower than rounded summit of fruit body.


Phenology: Fruiting spring–early fall.
Habitat: Sands and peats of low meadows, stream banks, natural and artificial low clearings, moist clearcut areas, and savannas
Elevation: 0–300 m

Distribution

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Ala., Ark., Calif., Fla., Ga., Ind., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., West Indies (Antilles), Central America.

Discussion

Rhynchospora globularis var. globularis is the most common of the three varieties sharing habitat, particularly disturbed ones, over much of its range with the similarly ubiquitous R. recognita. The differences between the two, once considered co-variants, are striking. Rhynschospora globularis var. globularis shows slender, mostly radiately spreadingascending, lax, comparatively shortleaved culms; its sparser, less leafybracteate clusters have smaller, rounder, darker spikelets. Associated R. recognita is obviously taller, stouter, stiffer, and longer-leaved; its dense spikelet clusters are bristly with exserted-tipped subulate bracts; its spikelets are longer in narrower outline; and it is distinctively red-brown, almost orangebrown.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Robert Kral +
(Chapman) Small +
Rhynchospora cymosa var. globularis +
Ala. +, Ark. +, Calif. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Ind. +, La. +, Md. +, Miss. +, Mo. +, N.J. +, N.C. +, Ohio +, Okla. +, Pa. +, S.C. +, Tenn. +, Tex. +, Va. +, West Indies (Antilles) +  and Central America. +
0–300 m +
Sands and peats of low meadows, stream banks, natural and artificial low clearings, moist clearcut areas, and savannas +
Fruiting spring–early fall. +
Man. S.E. Fl., +
Illustrated +
Rhynchospora globularis var. obliterata +  and Rhynchospora obliterata +
Rhynchospora globularis var. globularis +
Rhynchospora globularis +
variety +