Carex hispida Willd.

Spice Inflorescence Rhizome

Family: CYPERACEAE

Genus: Carex

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Torrents and salt marshes.

Characteristics: This is the largest of the genus Carex in our land, A rhizomatous plant with more than two male spikes per stem, dark grey in colour and of great length (2-3 (5) cm). The female spikes are also long 4-12 cm., and the vesicle that surrounds the seeds (utricle) has a very short beak (4-5 mm.) at the terminal part, the sheath forming bract (glumes) are dark grey.