Frasier’s sedge, Cymophyllus fraserianus (also known as lily-leaf sedge) is a rare perennial grass in the sedge family (Cyperaceae).The only species in its genus, it is believed to be a relict of the Carex genus. Its morphology is unique as it is the only sedge that forms clumps of large, smooth evergreen blades with faint veins and no midvein. Unlike other sedges which are usually wind pollinated, Cymophyllus fraserianus has white showy flowers that are insect pollinated.
Frasier’s sedge is endemic to the moist shady mountain forest hillsides and stream banks in the Great Smoky Mountainsand southern Appalachianregion.Its state conservation status classifies it as critically imperiled in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland and Georgia and as vulnerable throughout the rest of its range. It is a poor seed disperser, and threatened by (deer) grazing and by loss of habitat due to development, all of which has caused its fragmentation into extremely small, genetically isolated populations at risk to genetic drift.
(Georgia DNR 2014; Godt et al. 2004; NatureServe 2014; Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program 2014; Wikipedia 2013)
Cymophyllus es un género monotípico de plantas herbáceas perteneciente a la familia de las ciperáceas. Su única especie, Cymophyllus fraserianus, es originaria de Estados Unidos.
Tiene culmos de 20-40 cm. Las hojas, afiladas gradualmente en la base que se envuelve alrededor del tallo, finamente veteado de 50-90 con forma de cinta, 20-60 × 1,7-5 cm, margen finamente ondulado, de base cónica, ápice, ciliado-serrulado ampliamente agudo-redondeado. Inflorescencias un solo punto andrógino. Perigonio blanco, llegando a ser de color verdoso pálido en la madurez, elipsoide a elipsoide general, ± inflado, circular aplanado en sección transversal, 4.5 a 6.7 × 2.2-3 mm, membranaceos; pico corto. Estigmas gruesos, rígidos, finamente papillosos. Aquenios de color marrón oscuro, elípticos a circulares o ampliamente obovados a grandes rasgos, 2.4 a 3.2 × 1.6 a 2.5 mm.[1]
Cymophyllus fraserianus fue descrita por (Ker Gawl.) Kartesz & Gandhi y publicado en Rhodora 93(874): 138. 1991.[2]
Cymophyllus es un género monotípico de plantas herbáceas perteneciente a la familia de las ciperáceas. Su única especie, Cymophyllus fraserianus, es originaria de Estados Unidos.