Carex loliacea

Carex loliacea (common name, ryegrass sedge) is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae.^[1]

Carex loliacea
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Cyperaceae
Genus:	Carex
Species:	C. loliacea
Binomial name
Carex loliacea Linnaeus
Synonyms
Leptovignea loliacea (L.) Fedde & J.Schust. Neskiza loliacea (L.) Raf. Vignea loliacea (L.) Rchb. Carex loliacea f. subtenella Norm. Carex quaternaria Spreng. Carex sibirica Willd. ex Kunth Carex tenuiflora Hartm. ex Kunth

Description

Carex loliacea is a tussock-forming, grasslike plant, typically reaching 15–25cm in height. Stems are loosely tufted, growing from light brown, bladeless sheaths. Leaves are smooth, bladed and shorter than the stem. Inflorescence takes the form of a spike. The fruit is a red-brown achene.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Its native range is Northern and Eastern Central Europe to Japan, Subarctic America to Canada.^[1] It favours wetland conditions such as wet forests, marshes, river banks and fens.^[3]