wernerehl's Favorites

UPDATE: Based on the conversation generated by @karro_frost 's similar observation (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99743999), and the subsequent discovery of this write-up (https://pvfernsociety.org/n/13079/Unusual-Fern-Found), along with @mjpapay 's comments, it looks we have a unusual expression of Polypody virginianum. Fun to get some resolution on this one - Thanks!

I have no idea what this is. There was a small patch growing on coarse talus, mostly covered with Polypody. Perhaps an abnormally cut expression of Polypody?

@wernerehl Responding to your 9/15 observation of Greeneochloa coarctata. @margaretcurtin and I collected the pictured plant as Calamagrostis cinnoides in 2016, identifying it with the key of Flora Novae Angliae. Weakley treats Calamagrostis cinnoides as a synonym of Greeneochloa coarctata, but iNaturalist accepts both Calamagrostis cinnoides and Greeneochloa coarctata. Kew’s Plants of the World Online uses Greeneochloa coarctata (treating Calamagrostis cinnoides as a synonym of C. canadensis) so I chose to enter this observation as Greeneochloa.
@janetwright I see you also have observed this species.

Bisexual inflorescence, terminal spike entirely staminate, perigynia pubescent without obvious teeth, spikes sessile, scales awnless place this in Acrocystis (Master Key to Carex in Sedges of Maine). Within Acrocystis, the key points to C. communis because the perigynium body is about as wide as long, and the widest leaf is >3mm wide (maybe 3.7mm). However, the perigynium beak is well over 1mm long, the carpellate scales are reddish brown, and the lowest proximal pistillate bract overtops the staminate spike, all of which are wrong for C. communis. Based on the perigynium shape, particularly the beak length, this is C. lucorum despite the wide leaf.