FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Carex microglochin, Bristle Sedge, Broddastör

Carex microglochin; The Bristle Sedge is small sedge with one terminal spike on the stem (male flowers on top). The female flowers are quite characteristic: they develop long bristles that extend through the utricles. The utricles bend down (first horzontal, then pointed down) during development. It is common throughout Iceland (though rather rare in the highland deserts) where it can be found on all sorts of wet soils. A rather similar species is the Flea Sedge (Carex pipulicaris). This species is much rarer and can only be found in the east, the western part of the Snæfellsness peninsula and some north-western locations. It is similar in many respects to the Bristle Sedge but misses the bristles protruding through the utricles (do not be fooled by old styles).
The Bristle Sedge is a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Broddastör.