Carex appressa, the tall sedge, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cyperaceae.[1] It is native to New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and generally in the South West Pacific.[2]
Carex appressa is a densely tufted, perennial sedge that forms clumps up to in diameter. Its stems grow to around in height, and are hard and solid, becoming rough towards the top of the stem. Its leaves are wide, are rough on the margins, and grow mostly out of the base of the plant. It has a brownish, spike-like inflorescence made of 20 or more spikes, growing long. Its flowers are numerous oval-shaped brownish spikelets that are approximately long, with both male and female flowers mixed together in the spikes. Its nut is contained in a flattened, oval-shaped, beaked, hairless sack or utricle that is long.[3] [4]
Carex appressa occurs in swamps, watercourses, and occasionally in water.[3] It also serves as a larval food plant for Heteronympha cordace.[5]