Carex arcta
Northern clustered sedge, Northern Clustered Sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Carex arcta (Northern clustered sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by compact inflorescence and red-tipped beaks.
Northern clustered sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern coastal California and northern coastal ranges in wet places, especially sphagnum bogs, at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this sedge produces green to brown spikelets 5 to 10 millimeters long in dense clusters. Growing in dense tufted clumps with stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive clustered bunches in wetland environments. Its leaf blades are narrow, 2 to 4 millimeters wide, with lower leaf sheaths distinctively marked by sparse red dots. The fruit is small, approximately 1.2 to 1.6 millimeters long, with an ovate green perigynia featuring a short conic beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 66 sympatric species; compact inflorescence and red-tipped beaks are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places, especially sphagnum bogs
Elevation: < 1400 m
Outside California: to western Canada, also eastern Can, eastern United States
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Juncus: Carex stems are triangular when rolled; Juncus stems are round and often hollow with partitions inside.; vs Cyperus: Carex has seeds in individual flasks; Cyperus has umbrella-like flower clusters with flattened ribbon-like spikes.; vs Plantago: Carex has triangular stems and brown/green spikelets; Plantago has round flower stalks and white/brown spike flowers.; vs Eleocharis: Carex has leaves along the stem; Eleocharis is nearly leafless with just one spikelet per stem.; vs Schoenoplectus: Carex has leafy stems and flask-enclosed seeds; Schoenoplectus has leafless round stems with exposed seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carex arcta native to California?
Yes. Carex arcta is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Carex arcta belong to?
Carex arcta is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex arcta rare or endangered?
Carex arcta carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Carex arcta grow in?
Carex arcta grows in Wet places, especially sphagnum bogs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.