Carex L.

Bristle absent from female flower or short and not exserted Carex

Lowermost spikes, or collection of spikes, on each culm, subtended by a short glumaceous bract

Inflorescence of more than 12 spikes in a raceme or panicle usually more than 5 cm long at the top of the culm (rarely less in C. tereticaulis)

Utricle glabrous, margins not winged, distinctly 3-angular or plano-convex; beak c. 2 mm long, notched, smooth. Tufted herb with often septate-nodulose, sharply scabrous leaves which are shorter than culms. Widespread. RF and WSF Carex declinata

Utricles hispid along slightly winged margins