Carex comosa
Bristly sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Carex comosa (Bristly sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by nodding spikes and very long beak teeth are unique.
Bristly sedge is a native perennial sedge found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern California foothills, Central Valley, northern Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, San Bernardino Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in wet places at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from May to September (though no specific flower color is noted in the source data), this sedge forms loosely clustered stems 50 to 100 centimeters tall with distinctive nodding lower spikes. Growing with upright, robust stems, it develops long, drooping stalks that support its unique inflorescence. Its leaves have ligules approximately equal to or less than their width, with pistillate flower bracts typically white or cream with pale reddish centers. The fruit is notable for its spreading, shiny perigynia 5 to 7.5 millimeters long, ranging from green to gold with beak teeth 1.3 to 2.8 millimeters long that curve or spread outward.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 122 sympatric species; nodding spikes and very long beak teeth are unique
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Lake, San Bernardino, Shasta, San Francisco, Sonoma, Mendocino, Sacramento, Fresno
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern North America
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 comosa native to California?
Yes. Carex comosa is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex comosa grow?
Carex comosa occurs in San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Lake, San Bernardino, Shasta, San Francisco, Sonoma, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Carex comosa belong to?
Carex comosa is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex comosa rare or endangered?
Carex comosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Carex comosa grow in?
Carex comosa grows in Wet places.
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.