[6] It produces flowers in open panicles[6] which are very small,[7] chestnut-brown in colour[3] and can be found in dense and lax clusters.

[3] With regard to the etymology of the binomial, Luzula could come from the Italian lucciola ("to shine, sparkle") or the Latin luzulae or luxulae, from lux ("light"), inspired by the way the plants sparkle when wet with dew;[8] whilst sylvatica comes from silva, Latin for forest.

[6] Luzula sylvatica has a wide distribution, and is native to Europe (the European temperate element of flora [9]) and southwest Asia[10] - including the British Isles where populations are widespread and stable, apart from a decline in central and south east England.

[5] The flowers and seeds are also the sole food source for the larvae of the Coleophora sylvaticella moth.

[11] Luzula sylvatica is commonly used in horticulture — its thick, patch-forming habit (which allows the plant to act as a weed suppressant),[12] hardiness,[4] as well as the ability to grow in shade and damp soils[4] being particular boons; it is commonly used for ground cover[12] and/or as an ornamental grass.