Carex laevigata, Sm.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1980, Flora Europaea. Volume 5. Alismataceae to Orchidaceae (Monocotyledones), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 308

84. C. laevigata Sm. , Trans. Linn. Soc. London 5: 272 (1800)

( C. helodes auct., non Link).

Stems (30-)50-120 cm, erect, stout, sharply trigonous, usually slightly scabrid above; basal sheaths pale brown, entire, without lamina. Leaves c. | as long as stems, (4-)6-12mm wide, keeled, pale green; apex of inner side of sheath with a rounded projection; ligule 7-15 mm. Male spike 1(—3), 20-60 x 2-3 mm. Female spikes (2-)3-4, 20-60 x 6-8 mm, distant, the lower suberect or pendent, with peduncles 3-15 cm; lowest bract exceeding spike but shorter than inflorescence, with a sheath 20-120 mm. Female glumes slightly shorter than utricles, acuminate, greenish- or reddish-brown. Utricles 4-5-5 mm, pale greenish-brown, gradually narrowed into a scabrid beak 1-1-5 mm. 2« = 72. Damp, usually shady places. • W. Europe, northwards to Scotland; S. Bulgaria. Be Br Bu Co Ga Ge Hb Ho Hs Lu.

Plants from S. Spain with leaves not more than 4 mm wide resemble 88 in general appearance, but can be distinguished chiefly by the long ligule.