Panarctic Flora

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3309015 Carex livida (Wahlenb.) Willd.

Distribution

Northern Iceland: Rare
Northern Fennoscandia: Rare
Northern Alaska - Yukon: Rare
Central Canada: Rare
Hudson Bay - Labrador: Rare
Shrub Tundra: Rare
Bordering boreal or alpine areas: Frequent

GBIF

2n= (1) 32. - Europe (N), Canada. - Three reports.
(2) 50 52 54. - Europe (N), Canada. - Three reports.
See notes.

Geography: European (N) - Asian (NW) & Asian Pacific & North American: ICE RUS ALA CAN.

Notes: The North American var. grayana represents only minor variation in size characters within Carex livida and occurs here and there without a consistent range.

The chromosome number(s) of this species are uncertain. Löve and Löve (1975a) omitted the reports of 2n = 32 from northern Europe (Löve and Löve 1944b, 1956b) but subsequently published that number from Manitoba (Löve and Löve 1981d). Taylor and Mulligan (1968) corrected a report of 2n = 32 from Ontario (Moore and Calder 1964) to 2n = ca. 54. The matter obviously needs re-investigation but there are a few indications. Hybrids between C. livida and C. vaginata (2n = 32) are very frequent in Scandinavia and possibly pollen-fertile (Wischmann and Elven 2008). The reports of the higher numbers of 2n = 50, 52, and 54 should be checked against vouchers. Rothrock and Reznicek (2002b) reported 2n = 32 as the only number for C. livida.

Higher Taxa