This sedge grows in pronounced tufts with the spikes curving outwards and upwards to 80 cm. The fruit spikes at first appear similar to those of False Fox Sedge, but at maturity the individual fruits are very spiky with pronounced beaks as the name suggests.

Either obtain confirmation from a County Recorder before submitting a record, or submit detailed images showing key features.  We recommend that you take and retain a specimen; the County Recorder may wish to see this for confirmation. 

Rough grassy places, roadsides and railway verges.

Fruiting July and August.

Perennial.

Widespread in England and Wales, becoming less common further north.

Locally frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 108 of the 617 tetrads.