Compilation
Carex spicata

Plants without conspicuous rhizomes. Culms 10–85 cm, 1.8–2.2 mm wide basally, 0.5–0.9 mm wide distally; basal scales and sheaths usually red or purple tinged. Leaves: sheaths tight, green, fronts hyaline; ligules (3.5–)4–8 mm, longer than wide; widest leaf blades 2–4 mm wide, often papillose adaxially. Inflorescences with 3–8 spikes, 1–4 cm × 6–10 mm; proximal internodes as long as or slightly longer than proximal spikes; proximal bracts to 2 cm; spikes with 5–10 spreading to ascending perigynia. Pistillate scales brown with green 1–3-veined center, lanceolate to ovate, 3.2–4.5 × 1.7–2.2 mm, body slightly shorter and slightly narrower than perigynium, apex acuminate to short-awned. Anthers 1.5–2.5 mm. Perigynia greenish brown finally becoming black and glossy, veinless or to 7-veined abaxially, 4–5.5 × 2.2–2.4 mm, base of body somewhat spongy, thickened, margins serrulate distally; beak 1.5–2 mm, apical teeth 0.3–0.6 mm. Achenes suborbiculate, 2–2.3 × 2 mm. 2n = 58.