Practical
Plants

Carex aquatilis

a perennial evergreen member of the Carex genus in the family Cyperaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Carex
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
1 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

Stem bases - raw[7]. There are no edible uses listed for Carex aquatilis.

Environment

Range
Northern Europe, including Britain, from Norway to Sweden, Finland, N. Russia and Siberia.
Habitat
Margins of lake and streams in mountainous districts in west and northern Britain[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in situ in the spring in a moist soil in light shade. If seed is in short supply it can be sown in a cold frame and be planted out in the summer. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 15°c[1]. Division in spring[4]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a damp to wet soil in full sun or shade[2][4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].

References

  1. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

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  2. Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)

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