Plant Quiz Solved: Pod Grass (Scheuchzeria palustris)

Congrats and thanks to Jackie (Woodswalker) and Jim for correctly identifying this as the rare and very unusual pod grass (Scheuchzeria palustris).  This monocot can be found in scattered spots throughout the Northeast, Great Lakes states, and even sparingly in the mountain west and Pacific northwest.  It grows in the saturated sphagnum of peat bogs and kettle lakes throughout the northern hemisphere.  Here in Ohio, it only grows in a couple sites in the northeast corner in its typical sphagnum bog mat habitat.  This particular specimen was photographed at Brown's Lake Bog nature preserve in Wayne Co., Ohio.

Another interesting fact about this plant is its circumboreal distribution; meaning it can be found all around the globe in the northern hemisphere.  Some taxonomists split the species into two varieties based on geographic range alone, while others keep it as one species throughout its range.  Here in North America, our variety is called S. palustris var. americana.  Pod grass is a monotypic taxon and the only species/member of its genus (Scheuchzeria) and family (Scheuchzeriaceae).

It's time for another plant quiz!  Look carefully at the photograph below and see what you think before commenting with your best guess or answer.  Best of luck and thanks to all that participate!

Do you recognize this plant?