Species of grass-like plant
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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 (pistillate) flowers at the base, and male (staminate) 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 (usually in British NVC community MG10 in the British Isles), 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 ', and in Welsh, its name is ', ' or '.
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".
References.
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