Common Name:

General Information

Carex hirta is a perennial plant with a shortly-creeping rootstock. It produces a cluster of grass-like leaves and can grow around 15 - 60cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eurasia - throughout Europe, east to the Caucasus and Iran; N. Africa - Morocco

Habitat

Rough grassy places, woods, damp meadows and damp sandy hollows[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	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

The rhizome is diuretic[].

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.