Carex demissa; The Green Yellow-sedge is quite a rare species on Iceland. The best chance of finding it is in the western coastal regions of Iceland. Typically the inflorescence consist of one male spike (on top) and two or three female spikes closely placed below the male spike. Often though there is a female spike at the middle of the culm too. The leaves of this plant are taller than the infloresence. Also characteristic is the bract under the spikes: this exceeds by far the spikes. This gives it an appearance where the inflorescence is well "within" the plant. Very similar but even more rare is Carex flava (Large Yellow-sedge) It is only found in a few localities in northern Iceland and can be recognized by the long beaks of the utricles.
It is a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is also known as Carex oederi. The Icelandic name of this species is Grænstör.
FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Carex demissa, Green Yellow-sedge, Grænstör
Back to general list of all plant species (entries start)
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Other Sedge family members (true sedges)
a culm showing leaves and bract rising above spikes
a culm laid bare on a rock also showing leaves and bract rising above spikes
Reload first photo of full tuft in vegetation
note: the photo's presented are not depicting the Green Yellow-sedge (C. demissa i.e. C oederi ssp oedocarpa) but more likely the Yellow Sedge (C. flava). Both species are rare on Iceland and not seen in the region where I found this specimen. This still needs to be resolved.
leaves and bract rising above spikes
culm laid bare on a rock: leaves and bract rising above spikes
note: the photo's presented are not depicting the Green Yellow-sedge (C. demissa i.e. C oederi ssp oedocarpa) but more likely the Yellow Sedge (C. flava). Both species are rare on Iceland and not seen in the region where I found this specimen. This still needs to be resolved.