Pendulous Sedge - Carex pendula

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Description

A large plant with very short rhizomes. Its leaves and shoots form large tufts or tussocks up to 70 cm across and stems reach 60 to 180 cm in height. Inflorescence has 1 or 2 male spikelets up to 10 cm long at the tip, and 4 or 5 female spikelets spread out lower down (up to 16 cm long). They are cylindrical and pendulous like catkins.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Woodland.

When to see it

June and July.

Life History

Perennial.

UK Status

Common and widespread, more so in the south.

VC55 Status

Has become increasingly common in VC55.

  • David Nicholls
    Burbage Common and Woods
    26 April 2014
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    26 April 2007
  • Jane Hollingworth
    Memorial Garden Quorn
    12 May 2020
  • Graham Calow
    Cambridge Road, Cosby
    15 May 2016
  • David Gould
    Spearwort Fields
    27 June 2015
  • Graham Calow
    Near High Cross
    09 June 2016
  • Graham Calow
    Cambridge Road, Cosby
    15 May 2016
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley Brook
    04 July 2013

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Pendulus Sedge, Pendulous Sedge
Species group:
Grasses, Rushes & Sedges
Kingdom:
Plantae
Order:
Poales
Family:
Cyperaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
241
First record:
01/07/1998 (John Mousley)
Last record:
03/06/2025 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    Burbage Common and Woods
    24 April 2014
  • Graham Calow
    B4114 Coventry Road, Sapcote
    30 May 2017
  • David Nicholls
    Cloud Wood
    24 June 2011
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    30 May 2007
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley
    24 June 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Narborough Bog
    02 May 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Swithland Wood
    25 August 2011
  • HAPeacock
    Gilroes Spinney
    05 July 2012
  • HAPeacock
    Gilroes Spinney
    05 July 2012
  • HAPeacock
    Gilroes Spinney
    05 July 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Broughton Astley
    04 July 2013
  • Graham Calow
    Cambridge Road, Cosby
    15 May 2016
  • AJ Cann
    Cloud Wood
    20 April 2016
  • Barbara Cooper
    Jubilee Wood
    21 May 2015
  • Graham Calow
    Jubilee Walk, Leire
    16 September 2014