Fen Sedge
Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl

Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl, known as Fen Sedge, is a Cyperaceae species native to temperate Europe and Asia, growing in base-rich boggy areas and lakesides. It can reach 2.5 meters in height and has leaves with hard, serrated edges. Historically, it was used for thatched roofing, though harvesting was difficult due to the plant's sharp edges. It is distributed across multiple regions including Açores, Portugal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and others.
Description
Cladium mariscus is a tall sedge species with serrated leaf edges, commonly found in wetland habitats. The plant has been historically significant for construction purposes, particularly in thatched roofing. Its native range includes temperate Europe and Asia, and it has been recorded in various biogeographic regions. The species was previously referred to as elk sedge. The name was published in 1809. Some taxonomic discussion exists regarding the type locality, with historical references to Gotland, though no direct association with specimens from that location is noted in the type collection.
Other common names
Fen SedgeGreat Fen-SedgeSaw GrassSaw Sedgeswamp sawgrass
Distribution
Açores · Portugal Continental · BR · NO · Afrotropical · Australasian · Nearctic · Neotropical · Oriental (Indomalaya) · Palaearctic · Pacific (Oceania) · MU · Flanders · SE · RO · IN · NA · DK · Global · the Democratic Republic of the Congo · Belgium · Flemish Region · Alabama · Albania · Algeria · Angola · Argentina Northeast · Argentina Northwest · Arizona · Arkansas
Synonyms
Cladium jamaicenseMariscus mariscusSchoenus mariscus

