Description: A species which is characteristic of sand dunes all around Northern Ireland. Mostly occurring in fixed or semi-fixed dunes. Aerial shoots grow up to about 10 inches in height, and they arise from a horizontal rhizome which can spread over considerable distances below the sand surface, and which help bind loose sand. In "blow-outs" or "slacks" with bare sand the aerial shoots arise in dead straight rows, growing up from the horizontal rhizome which will grow perfectly straight unless it encounters obstacles.

All names: Carex arenaria L.,

Distribution Map from NBN: Carex arenaria at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Carex arenaria at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.