FE1C Carex panicea – Carex viridula fen

Vegetation

This variable community brings together a range of small-sedge dominated vegetation types. The main sedges are Carex viridula and Carex panicea, which are constant and the combination of their glaucous and bright green sedge leaves is an indicator of this habitat. These are frequently accompanied by Carex echinata and occasionally by Carex nigra, Carex hostiana, Carex pulicaris or Carex dioica. Other constants are Molinia caerulea, Anagallis tenella, Juncus bulbosus and Ranunculus flammula. Frequent vascular plants are Eleocharis multicaulis, Eriophorum angustifolium, Succisa pratensis, Potentilla erecta, Juncus articulatus and Potamogeton polygonifolius. Occasionally, the conspicuous pale-leaved rosettes of Pinguicula vulgaris will be seen. There is often, but not always, a ‘brown moss’ presence in the bryophyte layer, most often in the shape of Campylium stellatum, and somewhat less often in the guise of Aneura pinguis, Drepanocladus cossonii/revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Fissidens adianthoides or Bryum pseudotriquetrum. Sphagnum subsecundum agg. is occasionally present and may be abundant.