Carex atherodes
Wheat sedge, Wheat Sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Carex atherodes (Wheat sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by but restricted high elevation range; large perigynia with long teeth.
Wheat sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the high Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau in marshes and seasonally wet meadows at elevations of 1,300 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this sedge produces reddish-brown spikelets with white-margined bracts. Growing with tall stems 30 to 150 centimeters high, it forms dense clumps in wet habitats. Its leaves are 3 to 10 millimeters wide, distinctively hairy on the lower surface with soft-textured sheaths. The fruit is a stalked, green perigynia 7 to 10 millimeters long with a straight beak and curved teeth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 81 sympatric species but restricted high elevation range; large perigynia with long teeth
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes, seasonally wet meadows
Elevation: 1300-1600 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Modoc
Outside California: to northern Canada, northeastern United States, Eurasia
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 atherodes native to California?
Yes. Carex atherodes is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex atherodes grow?
Carex atherodes occurs in Siskiyou, Modoc, at elevations of 1300-1600 m.
What plant family does Carex atherodes belong to?
Carex atherodes is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex atherodes rare or endangered?
Carex atherodes carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Carex atherodes grow in?
Carex atherodes grows in Marshes, seasonally wet meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.