Cyperus houghtonii
| Cyperus houghtonii | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Cyperus |
| Species: | C. houghtonii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cyperus houghtonii Torr., 1836
| |
Cyperus houghtonii, commonly known as Houghton's flatsedge,[2] is an uncommon species of sedge that is native to parts of eastern and midwestern North America.[3]
Description
[edit]Cyperus houghtonii seems be of a backcross hybrid origin from Cyperus lupulinus ssp. macilentus and Cyperus schweinitzii. It has been theorized that glaciated habitats where Cyperus houghtonii is commonly found provided a new niche that neither of its parents species were well adapted too, with Cyperus houghtonii being more suited to the habitat.[1]
Cyperus houghtonii possesses one to five flower clusters which measure up to 3/4 inch across at the tip of the stem. Each flower cluster has three to 18 spikelets. At the base of the flower clusters are three to eight erect to ascending bracts that measure one to eight inches in length. The spikelets are flattened and oblong, measuring 1.5 cm in length. Each floret has three stamens and a three-parted style. Cyperus houghtonii grows four to 20 inches tall.[4]
Distribution and Habitat
[edit]Cyperus houghtonii is found in various dry and sandy habitats such as ledges, roadsides, lakeshores, sandplains, woodlands,[5] shale barrens, and rock outcrops.[6] It is found in Manitoba, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ontario, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Quebec, Virginia, and Wisconsin. It is historic in Maine and Ohio.[1] Cyperus houghtonii is regarded as rare throughout its range.[5] In Minnesota, Cyperus houghtonii is often found in or near jack pine stands.[4]
Conservation
[edit]Although Cyperus houghtonii has a wide distribution, it is uncommon or rare throughout much of its range. Possible threats include habitat destruction, fire suppression, and succession, trampling by hikers, and off-road vehicles. Many activities that are considered destructive to this and other species way be beneficial to Cyperus houghtonii such as logging, sand and gravel extraction, or off-road vehicle use.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Cyperus houghtonii Torr". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Cyperus houghtonii Torr". Kew Science – Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Cyperus houghtonii (Houghton's Flatsedge)". MinnesotaWildflowers.info. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Cyperus houghtonii — Houghton's flatsedge". Native Plant Trust. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Cyperus houghtonii". A.S. Weakley & SE Flora Team. Retrieved 17 April 2025.