Thin-spiked Wood-sedge - Carex strigosa

Description

Carex strigosa is similar to Carex sylvatica (Wood Sedge) and grows in similar habitats.  It is a bigger plant with wider, yellow-green, slightly drooping leaves and long thin fruiting spikes which are erect or held at right angles when mature.  The fruits (utricles) have short beaks.

Similar Species

Can be similar to Carex sylvatica. C sylvatica fruits have a long beak and the mature flower spikes are drooping.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, photos are required from above and below. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

On moist, base-rich, sometimes clayey, soils in deciduous or mixed woodlands, often found near streams or seepages. It occurs most frequently in clearings and along tracks, but is sometimes found in considerable shade.

When to see it

In flower during May and June.

UK Status

Widespread but rather local in distribution and more frequent the southern half of Britain.

VC55 Status

Local in Leicestershire and Rutland, but can be quite frequent in suitable locations.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Thin-spiked Wood-sedge
Species group:
Grasses, Rushes & Sedges
Kingdom:
Plantae
Order:
Poales
Family:
Cyperaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
5
First record:
27/05/2019 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
03/06/2024 (Bell, Melinda)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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