{{Short description|Species of grass-like plant}} {{Speciesbox |image = Carex pendula 1.jpg |taxon = Carex pendula |authority = Huds. }}

'''''Carex pendula''''' ('''pendulous sedge''',<ref name=BSBI07>{{BSBI 2007 |accessdate=2014-10-17 }}</ref> also known as '''hanging''', '''drooping''' or '''weeping sedge''') is a large sedge of the genus ''Carex''. It occurs in woodland, scrubland, hedges and beside streams, preferring damp, heavy clay soils. It is sometimes grown as a garden plant because of its distinctive appearance.

It is native to western, central and southern parts of Europe occurring north to Sweden, Denmark and parts of Scotland where it reaches 58° N.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} It is also found in north-west Africa, the Azores, Madeira and parts of the Middle East.<ref>{{GRIN | accessdate=23 July 2008}}</ref>

==Description== right|thumb|upright|Inflorescence: one male spike (left) and four female spikes ''Carex pendula'' is a tall, perennial plant which forms large, dense tufts. It can grow to 1.8 metres, occasionally reaching 2.4 metres. The smooth stems are triangular in cross-section with rounded angles. The long, hairless leaves are yellowish-green above and glaucous below. They are 8–20&nbsp;mm wide. The simple flowers are borne on long, drooping, catkin-like spikes. There are 1–2 male spikes at the top of the stem with usually 4–5 female spikes below them. The male spikes are 55–160&nbsp;mm long while the females spikes are 50–260&nbsp;mm long and 5–7&nbsp;mm wide. The fruits are green-brown and 3–5&nbsp;mm long with a 1–2.5-mm beak. The plant typically flowers from May to June and fruits from June to July.

It has been introduced to New Zealand and has begun to spread into the wild in the United States, where it has been recorded from Washington, Virginia, and California.<ref>Flora of North America. [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242357395 ''Carex pendula'']. Accessed 23 July 2008.</ref><ref>CalFlora. [https://www.calflora.org/app/taxon?crn=10523 ''Carex pendula'']. Accessed 6 September 2022.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}} *Stace, Clive A. (1997) ''New Flora of the British Isles'', Cambridge University Press. *Tutin, T. G. ''et al.'' (1980) ''Flora Europaea'', Volume 5. Cambridge University Press.

==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Carex pendula|''Carex pendula''}} *{{Wikispecies-inline|Carex pendula|''Carex pendula''}}

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pendula Category:Flora of Europe Category:Flora of North Africa Category:Flora of Macaronesia Category:Flora of Western Asia Category:Flora of the Caucasus Category:Plants described in 1762 Category:Garden plants of Africa Category:Garden plants of Europe Category:Flora of Africa Category:Taxa named by William Hudson (botanist) Category:Ornamental grass Category:Grasses of Lebanon