Carex acutiformis Ehrh.
European lake sedge
Lesser pond-sedge is a robust native sedge of wet ground, forming extensive stands in fens, marshes, wet woodland, ditches and along the margins of ponds, rivers and lakes. It spreads by creeping underground rhizomes to build dense, tall colonies of greyish-green, three-ranked leaves, with sharply triangular flowering stems carrying separate male spikes above and longer, cylindrical female spikes below.
About
Lesser pond-sedge is a robust native sedge of wet ground, forming extensive stands in fens, marshes, wet woodland, ditches and along the margins of ponds, rivers and lakes. It spreads by creeping underground rhizomes to build dense, tall colonies of greyish-green, three-ranked leaves, with sharply triangular flowering stems carrying separate male spikes above and longer, cylindrical female spikes below.
It thrives in permanently damp or seasonally flooded, often base-rich soils in full sun to light shade. As a vigorous coloniser it stabilises wet soils and the banks of watercourses, and its tussocky growth provides cover and habitat for invertebrates, amphibians and wetland birds. It is used in wetland creation, pond-edge planting and damp habitat restoration, though its spreading habit means it is best suited to larger, genuinely wet schemes rather than small or tidy settings.
Also known as
Lesser Pond Sedge · Lesser Pond-Sedge · Lesser pond sedge · swamp sedge
Synonyms
Carex acutiformis abbreviata · Carex acutiformis acutiformis · Carex acutiformis depauperata · Carex acutiformis gracilior · Carex acutiformis kochiana · Carex acutiformis maxima · Carex acutiformis minor · Carex acutiformis spadicea
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.