The Slender Sedge, a plant species thought to be extinct for almost one hundred years, was rediscovered at Askham Bog in 2021 has recently produced nearly 2000 feathery spikes.
The discovery in April follows the rediscovery of the plant in 2021 by Alastair Fitter, Emeritus Professor of Ecology at the University of York, the discovery was confirmed by Dr Kevin Walker and Mike Porter of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland.
This far exceeds the most recent count of one in 2023.
Sedges are grass-like plants which thrive in wetlands and they rely on the wind for pollination and so do not need to attract insects with attractive petals.
Alastair Fitter believes it’s rediscovery at Askham Bog suggests that it has survived for nearly 100 years without being noticed by many of regularly-visiting scientists, which could be because it has never flowered.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust believe the massive increase is likely to be the result of the very wet winter.
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