Sedges and grasses

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Grasses dominate many habitats acros the planet, and especially those, such as the plains of Africa, that support large numbers of grazing animals. Here, they dominate meadows and pastures with high levels of nutrients, and it is only where nutrient levels are low that many wild flowers can compete. Our largest native grass is common reed, that forms large stands in shallow water habitats, such as in river valleys and beside coasts.

Sedges are a type of grass with triangular or three-sided stems. Some species thrive in flushed wet soils, such as fenland or up-slope in river valleys, again forming extensive stands, sometimes accompanied by alder trees to form an unusual habitat called alder carr. Pendulous sedge occupies rides and open areas in damp woodland.