Common Name: Tufted Sedge

General Information

Carex elata is an evergreen perennial plant growing from a spreading, rhizomatous rootstock. It produces clusters of grass-like leaves that can be from 45 - 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to form an effective ground cover.
Carex alata is widespread with stable populations throughout most of its range and does not face any major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - western Europe from Portugal and Spain to Norway, extending east to western Siberia, Kazakhstan and Iran; N. Africa - Morocco and Algeria

Habitat

By fen ditches and in wet places by rivers and lakes, often in base-rich soils[, ]. Oligotrophic to eutrophic, and often calcareous, marshes, fens, lakes, ponds and river margins mostly in shallow water[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.80 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a damp to wet soil in full sun or shade[, ].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[].

Seed[]. No further details are given, but the seed is small and fiddly to use[].

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:

Plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover[, ].

Other Uses

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

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.