Carex duriuscula
Spikeletrush sedge, Spikeletrush Sedge
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Carex duriuscula (Spikeletrush sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family.
Spikeletrush sedge is a California native perennial sedge found in the White and Inyo Mountains in dry sagebrush scrub and conifer forests at elevations of 3,500 to 4,100 meters. Flowering in summer months, this plant produces reddish-brown spikelets in dense clusters 5 to 10 millimeters wide. Growing with thin rhizomes 0.6 to 1.8 millimeters thick, it forms clustered stems with narrow leaves. Its leaf blades are extremely slender, measuring just 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters wide with inrolled margins. The fruit is small, measuring 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, with a white to black perigynia and a short white-margined beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry areas in sagebrush scrub, conifer forests
Elevation: 3500-4100 m
California counties: Mono, Fresno, Inyo
Outside California: scattered western North America, also Eurasia
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 duriuscula native to California?
Yes. Carex duriuscula is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex duriuscula grow?
Carex duriuscula occurs in Mono, Fresno, Inyo, at elevations of 3500-4100 m.
What plant family does Carex duriuscula belong to?
Carex duriuscula is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex duriuscula rare or endangered?
Carex duriuscula carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Carex duriuscula grow in?
Carex duriuscula grows in dry areas in sagebrush scrub, conifer forests.
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.