Carex nigra ssp juncea; the "juncea" variant is in botanical terms regarded as a variety (var juncea) by Icelandic specialists (see annotated checklist of vascular plants of Iceland, pp40) but regarded as a subspecies in the Carex Europaea (Margraf Publishers).
Whatever, the variant differs strongly from the nominate. It forms dense large tufts where the nominate form mats spreading through rootstocks. It is also quite large. The culms and leaves can easily grow up to a length of 80cm, where the nominate can grow up to a length of 60cm at most but usually less. As such the "juncea" variant is one of the three large sedge species on Iceland. In other aspects it is quite similar, be it that the iflorescence usually has more than one male spike (for details see the page here here of the nominate variant).
I have seen it in two different localities: along a hot stream near Akureyri and at Laugarvatn.
- It is a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Mýrastör.
FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Carex nigra subspecies juncea, Common Sedge, Mýrastör
A brief introduction to Iceland plants
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Other Sedge family members (true sedges)
Other Sedge family members (true sedges)