Carex congdonii
Congdon's sedge
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Carex congdonii (Congdon's sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by NONE sympatric - geographically isolated; distinctive hairy dark purple perigynia.
Congdon's sedge is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in talus habitats at elevations of 2,600 to 3,900 meters. Flowering during the alpine summer, this sedge produces dark spikelets with pistillate flower bracts in deep purple hues. Growing in dense tufts with stems 40 to 90 centimeters tall and a distinctive red to purple base, it forms robust clumps in rocky alpine environments. Its leaf blades are 3 to 8 millimeters wide, with sheaths featuring distinctive red-dotted surfaces and occasional hairy textures. The sedge produces small fruits 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, with perigynium that are dark purple on the upper half and delicately tapered to a narrow beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE sympatric - geographically isolated; distinctive hairy dark purple perigynia
Habitat and range
Habitat: Talus
Elevation: 2600-3900 m
California counties: Fresno, Mono, Tulare, Tuolumne, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 congdonii native to California?
Yes. Carex congdonii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex congdonii grow?
Carex congdonii occurs in Fresno, Mono, Tulare, Tuolumne, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, at elevations of 2600-3900 m.
What plant family does Carex congdonii belong to?
Carex congdonii is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex congdonii rare or endangered?
Carex congdonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Carex congdonii grow in?
Carex congdonii grows in Talus.
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.