Carex elata is a tussock-forming, evergreen
perennial, growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). Foliage is bright gold, with green margins. It flowers from May to June, and seeds ripen from July to August. The species is
monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Its cultivar 'Aurea' has gained the
Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit. == Distribution and habitat ==