[Sedges: The Genus Carex in Mt. Adams Country]

Black Alpine Sedge

Carex nigricans

Close-up of a female inflorescence of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Close-up of a female inflorescence of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

The photo above shows a close-up view of the terminal inflorescence of black alpine sedge. Note that perigynia spread or become deflexed as they mature. Photographed along the South Climb Trail about one-half mile below the Crescent Glacier on the southern slopes of Mt. Adams..........August 23, 2008.

Close-up of the perigynia and bracts of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Close-up of the perigynia of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Close-up of the perigynia of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

The 3 photos above show close-ups of the perigynia and their dark, subtending scales of black alpine sedge. Click each photo to see enlarged views. Note that the photo at right (or bottom, depending how it is viewed on your computer) has 3 stigmas. Photographed along the South Climb Trail about one-half mile below the Crescent Glacier on the southern slopes of Mt. Adams.........August 23, 2008.

Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

The photo above shows views of black alpine sedge within their habitat. Click either photo to see an enlarged view. Photographed along the South Climb Trail about one-half mile below the Crescent Glacier on the southern slopes of Mt. Adams..........August 23, 2008.

Close-up of the female inflorescence of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Close-up of a leaf blade of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

The 2 photos above show close-ups of the inflorescence (left) and grooved leaf (right) of black alpine sedge. Click the photo of the inflorescence at left to see an enlarged view. Photographed along the South Climb Trail about one-half mile below the Crescent Glacier on the southern slopes of Mt. Adams.........August 23, 2008.

Close-up of the perigynia of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Inflorescence of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

The 2 photos above show close-ups of the perigynia and inflorescence of black alpine sedge as seen in moist meadows (around the periphery of a shallow pond) along the Pacific Crest Trail about one-half mile west of its junction with the Stagman Ridge Trail #12..........September 13, 2008.

Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Inflorescence of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

The photo at left shows black alpine sedge as collected from riparian areas at the base of old moraines at the terminus of the Adams Glacier, Mt. Adams.........September 18, 2008. The photo at center shows black alpine sedge in meadows off the Highline Trail #114 about a mile or so west of Red Butte, Mt. Adams Wilderness......August 27, 2020. The photo at right shows an inflorescence of black alpine sedge with ripe perigynia in moist meadows along upper Gotchen Creek, about 200 meters south of the Round the Mountain Trail #9, Gifford Pinchot National Forest.......September 5, 2021.

Female inflorescence of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Male inflorescence of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans - Female plants of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

Male plants of Black Alpine Sedge: Carex nigricans

Additional images, showing both male and female plants in bloom as seen on drier upland portions of Gotchen Creek Meadows, southeastern Mount Adams, Gifford Pinchot National Forest.........August 8, 2012.
Paul Slichter