Eriophorum brachyantherum
in A. T. von Middendorff, Reise Siber. 1(2, 3): 98. 1856.
Plants cespitose. Culms terete or nearly so, 20–70 cm, smooth. Leaves: bladeless sheaths 1–3, evenly distributed on culm, distal to middle, not inflated distally, filiform, channeled, 0.4–1.2 mm wide. Inflorescences: involucral-bracts absent. Spikelets solitary, erect, globose, 10–20 mm in flower, 20–35 mm in fruit; proximal empty scales usually 7 or more, ascending, blackish, ovatelanceolate, 5–10 mm, thin, margins broad, ribless, midrib not reaching tip. Flowers: perianth bristles usually more than 8, creamy white to pale-brown, 10–20 mm; anthers 0.5–2 mm. Achenes oblanceoloid, (1.8–) 2–2.3 (–2.7) × 0.5–1.2 mm; apex minutely apiculate, 0.1 mm. 2n = 58.
Phenology: Fruiting summer.
Habitat: Bogs, fens, tundra, muskeg, wet soils
Elevation: 0–1500 m
Distribution
Alta., B.C., Man., Nfld. and Labr., N.W.T., Nunavut, Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon, Alaska, Eurasia
Discussion
Eriophorum brachyantherum var. pellucidum Lepage is ca. 30 cm with narrowly oblong achenes (2.5–2.7 mm). It is known from only a single station (Rupert House, Quebec) and may be a hybrid between E. brachyantherum and E. vaginatum subsp. spissum. Further study is needed to determine the status of this plant.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
"shortened" is not a number."thin" is not a number.