arenicola's Favorites

These individuals (here and elsewhere) have been very difficult for me to assign to species. They have characteristics suggestive of Morella pumila, but the odor of the crushed leaves is very similar to leaves of Morella caroliniensis. Leaf size is larger than that of Morella pumila and can rival that of Morella caroliniensis on occasion. Fruit size is more similar to that of Morella caroliniensis. Often co-occurs with Morella pumila, and, in fact, true Morella pumila can be seen in the bottom left corner of the third photo. Differs from Morella caroliniensis in smaller leaves with greenish (rather than whitish) abaxial surfaces, dwarf stature, and habitat. Tends to prefer wet to mesic pine woodlands, savannas, and bogs, and appears to be somewhat fire-dependent.

Beach dune. Achene trigonous, 1.5mm x 0.5mm. Spikelet 3mm long, flattened, 2 achenes per spikelet. Culm 22 cm (some shorter, 11cm). Basal leaves 10cm x 2mm. Bracts 0.8mm wide, much longer than the inflorescence on the low culms, a little longer on the tall one. Spikelets densely arranged as a globose short spike on a rachis. Scales are keeled, tips blunt. Last photo is habitat.