Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Cyperaceae ⟩ Carex atrata / black Alpine sedge

Carex atrata L.

black Alpine sedge (Cyperaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
RestrictedVery strong tendencyN
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Carex atrata is an Arctic–Alpine sedge with distinctive black spikes, all similar in appearance; it can be found in Scotland and a couple of sites each in the Lake District and Snowdonia.

Niederösterreich, Austria; 2005-06-12

 black Alpine sedge / Carex atrata: _Carex atrata_ is an <a href="aa.html">Arctic–Alpine</a> sedge with distinctive black spikes, all similar in appearance; it can be found in Scotland and a couple of sites each in the Lake District and Snowdonia.

The spikes of Carex atrata have female flowers at the tip and male flowers below, in contrast to Carex atrofusca.

Dolomites, Italy; 2012-07-04

 black Alpine sedge / Carex atrata: The spikes of _Carex atrata_ have female flowers at the tip and male flowers below, in contrast to _Carex atrofusca_.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne