page_title: Carex spicata
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Carex spicata / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Basal leaves and leaf sheaths of Carex spicata, showing the characteristic purple colouring.
context_page_description: Carex spicata is a species of sedge in the genus Carex.
context_section_description: The culms of Carex spicata are 10–85 centimetres (4–33 in) long and approximately triangular in section. The leaves are 7–45 cm (3–18 in) long and 2–4 millimetres (0.08–0.16 in) wide, with a distinct keel. The ligule, at the base of the leaf, is 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) long, with a large amount of loose white tissue. C. spicata differs from the other species in Carex section Phaestoglochin by the presence of a purple pigment in the roots, leaf sheaths and bracts.
  The inflorescence is 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) long, and comprises 3–8 spikes. Each spike is 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long, with female (pistillate) flowers at the base, and male (staminate) flowers at the tip.
caption: The purple colouring of the ligules and other basal parts, is characteristic of C. spicata.
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