Water sedge, Aquatic sedge
Carex aquatilis
Family: Cyperaceae
What it is like
A sedge. These grow in clumps and have grass like leaves and solid stalks. It keeps growing from year to year. It has underground scaly runners. The stems or stalks are 25-60 cm high. They are slender and have 3 sharp sides to their triangular shape. The leaves are in three ranks and long and narrow. They can be 1 m long and 6 mm wide. The edges have fine teeth. The flowers and seeds are in several nodding spikes.
There are about 2000 Carex species. There are 200 species in tropical America.
Where it is found
It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in swampy areas often in shallow water.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Arctic, Europe, Greenland, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The 9-10 cm at the base of the stems is eaten raw. It is sweet.
Edible parts
Leaf bases
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Kalugkat