About Carex spicata Huds.
Carex spicata Huds. has culms that measure 10–85 centimetres (4–33 in) in length and are roughly triangular in cross-section. Its leaves are 7–45 cm (3–18 in) long and 2–4 millimetres (0.08–0.16 in) wide, and feature a distinct keel. The ligule located at the base of the leaf is 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long, and contains a large quantity of loose white tissue. C. spicata can be distinguished from other species in Carex section Phaestoglochin by the presence of purple pigment in its roots, leaf sheaths and bracts. Its inflorescence is 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) long, and is made up of 3–8 spikes. Each spike is 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long, with female (pistillate) flowers positioned at its base and male (staminate) flowers at its tip. This species has a native European temperate distribution, but has become widely naturalised outside of its native range. In the British Isles, it typically occurs in grassland, most commonly in British NVC community MG10, as well as along roadsides and on waste ground. It grows on heavy, slightly base-rich soils, and is unable to tolerate high levels of competition.
