ARS | Publication request: Carex opaca (Hermann) P.E. Pothrock & Reznicek (CYPERACEAE) new to North Carolina

Submitted to: Castanea
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 30, 2006
Publication Date: August 1, 2007
Citation: Bryson, C.T. 2007. Carex opaca (Hermann) P.E. Pothrock & Reznicek (CYPERACEAE) new to North Carolina. Castanea, Vol. 72, No. 2, pp. 123.

Interpretive Summary: The sedge family contains several of the world's worst weeds. A number of weedy sedges are dispersed by human activities. A Caric sedge was found for the first time at two sites in North Carolina. This sedge was introduced into Mississippi in the early 1990's during highway construction. It is highly likely that these introductions were in contaminated hay and grass seeds or construction, maintenance, and mowing equipment.

Technical Abstract: Carex opaca (F. J. Hermann) P.E. Rothrock & Reznicek (CYPERACEAE) is reported from two sites in North Carolina. These are the first records of C. opaca from North Carolina and represent easternmost stations for this species in the United States. Previously C. opaca was known from Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Carex opaca may have been introduced in contaminated hay and grass seeds or on construction, maintenance, and mowing equipment as it was introduced into Mississippi in the early 1990's. It is highly likely that C. opaca and other weedy or potentially weedy sedges will continue to be spread following construction and maintenance along right-of ways, then into natural and agricultural areas.