Carex pulicaris

Description

Carex pulicaris is a small sedge, with stiff stems 10-30 centimetres (4-12 in) tall. The leaves are 5-25 cm (2-10 in) long and less than 1 millimetre (0.04 in) wide. The inflorescence comprises a single spike, with 3-10 female flowers towards the base, and male flowers towards the tip. As the utricles mature, they bend away from the spike axis and become sensitive to touch; the way the seeds appear to jump from the stem gives rise to the plant's vernacular name. Before the utricles have become deflexed, C. pulicaris closely resembles C. rupestris, with which it often grows. It may also be confused with C. pauciflora, which usually bears only 2-3 fruit per stem.