Carex albula or white sedge is endemic to the South Island in a narrow area from the Mackenzie Basin, Waitaki and Central Otago from 200-750m asl. A species of mainly alluvial terraces, colluvial slopes and river flats. It prefers free draining soils and is often a local component of grey scrub communities. Seemingly unpalatable it often persists in paddocks alongside cattle and sheep. It is a stiffly erect to drooping, buff-coloured to almost bleached white, green or red, densely tufted sedge, 250-350 mm tall. Its appearance can become very white particularly during the colder months. It is quite often confused for Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’, and the peculiar bleached-white colour implied by the specific name is only apparent in some plants and is often imparted by the dead foliage (which is retained). It is best suited for a well drained, sunny site in dry climates. This species dislikes humidity and soon dies if kept too moist. Although it does not seem to be particularly palatable as it is often found in some abundance within pasture otherwise heavily cropped by sheep and/or cattle, plants have been lost to spraying and cultivation. It also does not seem to tolerate competition from taller species.