Carex filifolia var. filifolia
Thread-leaved sedge
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Carex filifolia var. filifolia (Thread-leaved sedge) is a native California perennial in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by thread-like leaves plus longer flower bracts.
Thread-leaved sedge is a native perennial sedge found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Inyo County, in dry areas with subsurface moisture at elevations around 3,200 meters. Flowering details are not specified in the source data, so the description will omit bloom time. Growing with stems 8 to 30 centimeters tall, this sedge has leaf blades that are approximately equal to or slightly shorter than its inflorescence. Its leaves are fine and thread-like, characteristic of its species name, with pistillate flower bracts generally longer than 3 millimeters. The fruit is small, measuring 2.2 to 3 millimeters long, with a perigynia 2.9 to 3.7 millimeters in length that tapers to a very short beak of 0.1 to 0.8 millimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 80 sympatric species - thread-like leaves plus longer flower bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: +- dry areas with subsurface moisture
Elevation: +- 3200 m.
Outside California: scattered western North America
Conservation status
CNPS PPD
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 filifolia var. filifolia native to California?
Yes. Carex filifolia var. filifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Carex filifolia var. filifolia belong to?
Carex filifolia var. filifolia is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex filifolia var. filifolia rare or endangered?
Carex filifolia var. filifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Carex filifolia var. filifolia grow in?
Carex filifolia var. filifolia grows in +- dry areas with subsurface moisture.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.