Bladder Sedge

From a central crown emerge arching leaves, which are twice cut. The leaflets are lance-shaped with a broad base and taper to a sharp point. Each leaflet is cut into rounded, slightly overlapping lobes. The leaf axis and stalk are green with a shallow groove in front. A principle feature is the 4 or 5 pairs of fertile leaflets interposed in the central part of each fertile leaf, below which are a few widely spaced small leaflets. Each fertile leaflet bears many, short-stalked brown spore cases.

Photographed at Eagle Lake - July 4 2004