Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica
Coastal star sedge, Coastal Star Sedge
(c) Thomas Gyselinck, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Gyselinck · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica (Coastal star sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by coastal habitat and entire perigynia distinctive from subsp. echinata.
Coastal star sedge is a California native perennial sedge found in northern and central coastal regions in peatlands, shores, swamps, and occasionally brackish environments at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering details are not specified in the source data, so a color or bloom time description cannot be generated. Growing with fine, narrow stems, this sedge forms dense tufted clumps characteristic of its genus. Its leaf blades are delicate, measuring 1.7 to 3.8 millimeters wide, with a narrow, precise structure. The fruit is small and compact, with an ovate shape approximately 1.5 to 2.2 millimeters long and 1 to 1.5 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species; coastal habitat and entire perigynia distinctive from subsp. echinata
Habitat and range
Habitat: Peatland, shores, swamps, occasionally brackish places
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Mendocino, Marin, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Del Norte, Plumas
Outside California: to Alaska
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 echinata subsp. phyllomanica native to California?
Yes. Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica grow?
Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica occurs in Mendocino, Marin, Humboldt, Siskiyou, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Del Norte, Plumas, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica belong to?
Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica grow in?
Carex echinata subsp. phyllomanica grows in Peatland, shores, swamps, occasionally brackish places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.