Sand Sedge
Carex arenaria
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Sand Sedge is one of the key dune-building plants alongside Marram Grass. Unlike most sedges, it grows in dry sand — its long horizontal rhizomes spread just under the surface in straight lines, sending up tufts of leaves at regular intervals. This gives it a distinctive appearance: ruler-straight lines of plants crossing the dune face. It's an important early coloniser of bare sand.
At a Glance
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Cyperaceae |
| Habitat | Mobile sand dune · Fixed dune · Dune edge |
| UK population | Common on all UK sandy dune systems |
| Sefton Coast | Abundant throughout the dune system; a co-dominant of the mobile dune community |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Mobile and fixed dunes throughout the Sefton Coast. The straight lines of plants across the dune face are distinctive.
Identification
Sedge with tufts arising at regular intervals from long horizontal rhizomes — the straight lines of plants are characteristic. Narrow, rough leaves. Brown flower heads May–June.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Look on the mobile dune face for straight lines of plants at regular spacing — that's Sand Sedge. Much easier to identify from a distance than up close.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sand Sedge spread across dunes?
Sand Sedge spreads through long horizontal rhizomes that grow just below the sand surface. New shoots emerge at regular intervals along the rhizome, creating the characteristic straight lines of tufts visible on dune faces. The rhizomes can extend several metres from the parent plant, helping to stabilise new areas of bare sand.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.