Carex geophila
Family: Cyperaceae
Distribution: This is not an abundant
plant in NM, but it is fairly widespread and not uncommon.
New Mexico counties include Catron, Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval, Socorro, and Taos.
It extends a little way into southern Colorado and SW Utah.
Habitat: In P-J woodland and lower ponderosa pine forest.
Discussion: Miriam Fritts says this species is common in western Arizona
and she would not call it a rare species. It is related to the recently described
species C. lavenia from northern Mexico, southeastern AZ and Trans-Pecos
Texas. We should look for this one in southern NM.
Important Information Sources:
Cronquist et al. 1977. Intermountain Flora, Vol. 6
- Monocots. Columbia Univ. Press.
Fritts, Miriam (Pers. Comm. 1998). Carex expert on Colorado and Arizona species.
Lives in Tucson (520) 887-7291.
Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains.
Univ. Press of Kansas, Lawrence.
Hermann, F.J. 1970. Carices of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado
Basin. USFS Ag. Handbook No. 374.
Information Compiled By: Robert Sivinski, 1998
