Carex spicata


Carex spicata is a species of sedge in the genus Carex.

Description

The culms of Carex spicata are long and approximately triangular in section. The leaves are long and wide, with a distinct keel. The ligule, at the base of the leaf, is long, with a large amount of loose white tissue. C. spicata differs from the other species in Carex section Phaestoglochin by the presence of a purple pigment in the roots, leaf sheaths and bracts.
The inflorescence is long, and comprises 3–8 spikes. Each spike is long, with female flowers at the base, and male flowers at the tip.

Distribution and ecology

Carex spicata has a European temperate distribution, although it has been extensively naturalised outside this native range.
Carex spicata is usually found in grassland, on roadsides, and in waste ground. It is found on heavy, slightly base-rich soils, and cannot tolerate much competition.

Taxonomy

Carex spicata was first described by the English botanist William Hudson in his 1762 work Flora Anglica.
It is known in the British Isles as "spiked sedge", in North America as "spicate sedge" or "prickly sedge". In Irish it is called cíb spícíneach, and in Welsh, its name is hesgen dywysennog borffor, hesgen dywysennog or hesgen ysbigog borffor.
Few hybrids have been reported between C. spicata and other members of Carex sect. Phaestoglochin, but hybrids have been reported between C. spicata and C. otrubae, and between C. spicata and C. echinata.