Carex hirta   Hairy Sedge C DD N

Carex hirta whole Carex hirta fruit

This common sedge is the only one which has sheaths, leaves and utricles covered in hairs - hence Hairy Sedge. The stem hairiness isn't visible in this photo but you can just about see hairs on the fruits in the enlarged photo. The spikes of fruits are widely spaced and there are often two or three male spikelets which persist when the plant is in fruit.

This sedge is found all over Ireland, England and southern Scotland but suddenly finds the central and northern climate too inhospitable and records become very scarce here.

Carex hirta

Carex hirta Hairy Sedge

Frodsham marsh, Cheshire 6th June 2005

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Carex hirta Hairy Sedge

Frodsham marsh, Cheshire 6th June 2005

Added on October 7th 2005, updated November 23rd 2008, updated 11th March 2010, updated 10th May 2011

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