roryschiafo's Identifications

1. Several individuals were present near the beginning section of the trail at McDonalds Woods. This particular individual was close to the Council Ring. I did not see any plant-animal interactions.
2. Native to Eastern US, secure overall, but imperiled in some parts of its range, especially the eastern and southern edges

1. A huge swath of these plants is right at the entrance of the CBG prairie and are beginning to bud. I bet there were a lot of animals (particularly insects) around these plants but I did not see any.
2. Native to North America, secure

Family: Cyperaceae

Characters typical of the family:

• 3-angled stem
• Inflorescence is spikelets on a spike

Note: Back of lower leaf sheaths are white between the veins, which helped distinguish this species from other sedges

Family: Cyperaceae

Characters typical of the family:

• 3-angled stem
• Inflorescence with drooping lateral spikes

Note: Bases are reddish-purple, which helped distinguish this species from other sedges

Identified using the "Sedges of the Chicago Region" guide by Chicago Wilderness.

Family: Cyperacae

Characters typical of the family:

• 3 angled stem
• Inflorescence is a spike

Note: Not 100% certain about this ID. I used the "Sedges of the Chicago Region" guide from Chicago Wilderness. Very open to thoughts and suggestions from sedge experts!

(Spring Flora assignment 5/25, plant #20)