Common Name: Aquatic Sedge

General Information

Carex aquatilis is a, clump-forming perennial with long, horizontal stolons. It produces loose tufts of grass-like leaves 50 - 150cm tall, the plant spreading to form colonies and often found in large concentrations[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It can be used as a soil stabilizer and also as a pioneer species to revegetate peatlands[].
Carex aquatilis is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Widespread in northern regions of the northern Hemisphere through Europe, Asia and N. America

Habitat

A common and often dominant plant in wet meadows, along the margins of lakes, ponds and streams, marshes and in shallow water, growing at low elevations in the Arctic but at higher elevation, up to 3,350 metres further south[, , , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Carex aquatilis is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures falling to -20°c or lower[].
A plant of open, disturbed areas, it is shade-intolerant but is easily grown in a damp to wet soils162, , ]. It grows in sites where the water table is near the soil surface, and can withstand 1 - 2 months of submersion[]
Plants are very tolerant of fire - although top growth can be burnt off, the roots usually survive and quickly resprout.
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Stem bases - raw[].

We have no more specific information for this species, but the young shoots and tender leaf bases of almost all species in this genus have a sweet flavour[]. They furnish a tasty nibble and make an excellent emergency food in the wild since they are widely available[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

This species has exceptional value for shoreline erosion control due to its prolific rhizomatous root system[]
A plant of open disturbed sites, it is a natural pioneer spcies and has also been used to revegetate mined peatlands. Not only is it a pioneer, however, it can also become a climax species in some of the areas in which it grows[].

Other Uses

The leaves of most species in this genus can be used to make a soft, insulated bedding for sleeping on when camping etc[].
The leaves have been used for making baskets[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in the spring in a moist soil in light shade. If seed is in short supply it can be sown in a cold frame and be planted out in the summer. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 15°c[]. Species in this genus, when started from seed tend to stay diminutive for over a year, with plant leaves remaining stunted and fragile for a considerable period of time[].
Division in spring[]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.