Carex elata All.

Species

Family: CYPERACEAE

Genus: Carex

Spanish common name: Cárice elevada.

Province distribution: Castelló. Girona. Tarragona. València.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Paleotemperate

Plants protected by law: País Valencià Catalogue.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Litoral marshes and riparian. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Riverbanks, lagoons, ponds, irrigation channels, and other waterlogged habitats, preferably in marshy areas that remain flooded for long periods with slow-flowing, carbonate-rich waters.

Characteristics: Perennial herb forming dense clumps. Stems are triangular in cross-section, 30-80 cm long. Cauline leaves are flat, soft, and glaucous. Unisexual spike inflorescences, 2-4 times longer than the basal bract; upper spikes are male, lower ones female. Each female flower bears two stigmas. Fruit (utricle) small, 2-4.5 mm, with a short beak.