Long-bracted Sedge - Carex extensa
Favourite Photos
Species Description
Widespread and locally frequent along coasts throughout the UK; most common along the Western coast of Scotland. Habitat includes: Places within reach of sea water or spray such as muddy / sandy estuarine flats, uppermost saltmarsh, edges of brackish ditches, moist coastal rocks, low cliffs etc. Growing habit: Perennial. Height: Up to 40cm. Flowers: June to July. Other names include: Long-bracteated Sedge.
Stace 4:
Carex extensa Gooden. - Long-bracted Sedge.
Glaucous or bluish-greyish-green; densely tufted; stems to 40cm, with rounded angles, smooth; lowest bract much longer than inflorescence but patent to reflexed, with short sheath; utricles 3-4mm, with beak 0.5-1mm; 2n=60. Native; muddy or sandy brackish places in estuaries and by sea; frequent round coasts of most of British Isles except parts of East coast of Britain.
Key:
- At least 1/2 of female spikes close-set to terminal male spike; 1-several bracts far exceeding inflorescence
- Utricles erecto-patent, greyish-green often purple-blotched; leaves glaucous or dark- or greyish-green, deaply channelled and / or with inrolled margins