How to tell Wood-sedge (Carex sylvatica) from Thin-spiked Wood-sedge (Carex strigosa)

Two similar sedges to look out for in woodlands in May are Wood-sedge Carex sylvatica and Thin-spiked Wood-sedge Carex strigosa. They sometimes grow together, even side-by-side (Shrawley Woods) but are relatively straight-forward to tell apart.

Left: Wood-sedge *Carex sylvatica*
Right: Thin-spiked Wood-sedge *Carex strigosa*. Note the ‘floppy’ appearance of *C. strigosa*

Wood sedge Carex sylvatica
has utricles which gradually taper to a long beak, has narrower, more ridged leaves and the ligule is symmetrical.

Thin-spiked wood-sedge Carex strigosa
has a thinner female spike (who would have thought?) has stubby utricles with a short beak, floppier, broader leaves and has an asymmetric ligule (see Plant Crib).

Assignment
Challenge yourself to find some Thin-spiked Wood-sedge this week, it’s overlooked and could be lurking in a woodland waiting for you to find it! If you want to see them both side-by-side, Shrawley Woods is a good spot to visit.
#carex #botany #worcestershire