Prickly Sedge

Common Name: Prickly Sedge

Latin Name: Carex muricata ssp.muricata

Family: Cyperaceae

Prickly sedge is an extremely rare plant. Nearly all the known sites are on very thin limestone soils where there is very little competition from more dominant grasses and sedges.Until recently it was only known from 4 localities in the country. Three of these sites are within the Yorkshire Dales National Park with small colonies in Ribblesdale, Swaledale and Malhamdale. As a result of recent work, it has been identified at a further 5 localities and the national population is thought to be stable. In a recent review of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), this species no longer met the Priority list criteria and so will no longer be the subject of a national BAP. However, work is currently continuing on this species at a local level.

Prickly sedge is a very difficult species to manage for as it requires very specific grazing levels in which to thrive. This species will not tolerate heavy grazing and will not survive in areas where light grazing allows other more dominant grass species to thrive.

Links:

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Prickly Sedge Local Species Action Plan (opens in new window)

Graham, F. & Newlands, C., 2007. Monitoring summary for Prickly Sedge (Carex muricata spp. muricata) at Colt Park, Ingleborough NNR in 2007. Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Conservation Research & Monitoring Reports No.6. (opens in new window)

Websites:

UK Biodiversity Action Plan (opens in new window)