Carex arctogena

Carex arctogena is a member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae) which grows in high alpine areas. It is one of the few "bipolar" species; it has populations in Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, Canada and southern South America. Plants in the far north and south appear to be genetically identical, having taken advantage of a similar niches on opposite ends of the globe. Carex arctogena has often been confused with the closely related Carex capitata. They were classified as one species until Harry Smith distinguished the differences between them 1940. Defining morphological characteristics of this species include: toothed scales which cover the female reproductive parts of the inflorescence, a larger seed relative to the size of the female reproductive sac (perigynia) and round perigynia which quickly taper towards the apex. It produces a single spike on each stem and has long elongated leaves which are characteristic for the genus Carex....read more on Wikipedia.