Carex gaudichaudiana, also known as fen sedge, is a tussock-forming species of perennial sedge in the family Cyperaceae. It is native to parts of Australia and New Zealand.[1]
The sedge has a long rhizome with loosely tufted shoots. The erect and roughly textured culms are in length and have a triangular cross-section with a diameter of about . The dark green leaves are longer than the culms and have a width of and have a rough texture at the edges and are surrounded by pale yellow-brown to orange-brown coloured sheaths. It has erect inflorescences with a length of composed of three to eight spikes.[2] In its native range it flowers in Spring and Summer between September and February.
The species was first described by the botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth in 1837 as a part of the work Enumeratio Plantarum Omnium Hucusque Cognitarum, Secundum Familias Naturales Disposita, Adjectis Characteribus, Differentiis et Synonymis. Stutgardiae et Tubingae. It has six synonyms;
It is often found in damp areas including eastern and south eastern parts of Australia including South Australia,[4] Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania as well as the North Island and South Island of New Zealand.[1]