针薹草 zhen tai cao

Rhizome short. Culms tufted, 10-20 cm tall, smooth, leafy in lower 1/4. Leaves shorter than culm, blades narrow, 0.5-1 mm wide, involute; basal sheaths pale brown. Inflorescence 1-spiked, terminal, androgynous, ovate to orbicular-ovate, 4-7 × 4-5 mm; male part not distinct, 3-5-flowered; most of spike female, 5-10-flowered. Female glumes pale brown laterally, broadly ovate, membranous, pale on 3-veined costa. Utricles patent at maturity, slightly longer than or equaling glume, broadly ovate, slightly swollen, trigonous, ca. 2 mm, not distinctly veined on both sides, base subcordate adaxially, apex nearly beakless, orifice truncate. Nutlet loosely enveloped, elliptic or obovate, trigonous, ca. 1.5 mm; style base not thickened, persistent; stigmas 3.

Carex meyeriana bogs in forest regions. Jilin [Russia (Far East, E Siberia)].