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Fertile culms of Pennsylvania sedge produce an apical inflorescence with a single terminal staminate spikelet 1-2.5 cm long above 1-3 smaller pistillate spikelets and their bracts, all purplish-brown at blooming. Staminate spikelets produce prominent creamy-yellow anthers; pistillate spikelets consist of 4-12 perigynia about 3 mm long and 1.5 mm across, each with 3 white, thread-like styles and a basal, scale-like bract shorter than the spikelet. The lowest pistillate spike bears a basal leaf-like bract usually longer than the spikelet. Florets are wind pollinated.

Carex

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania sedge [Blooms: Apr]

Brown fox sedge fertile culms apically bear a 2-5" long, 15 mm wide inflorescence (bottom) with numerous spikelets variably spaced along the axis. All spikelets have staminate (male) flowers apically and pistillate flowers below with a bristle-like bract at their bases; the lowest bract is the longest (up to 2"). Perigynia (top) are 2-3 mm long and 1.5 mm across, tapering to a toothed beak; pistillate scales as long as the perigynia with terminal awns add to the bristly appearance.

Carex

Carex vulpinoidea

brown fox sedge [Blooms: May-Jul]