Carex haydeniana
Cloud or hayden's sedge
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex haydeniana (Cloud or hayden's sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by high elevation, dense spherical inflorescence, and decumbent habit.
Cloud or hayden's sedge is a native perennial sedge found in the Sierra Nevada, Warner Mountains, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert Mountains on rocky slopes and moist soil at elevations of 2,400 to 4,200 meters. With an intriguing dark brown to occasionally green or gold dense, spheric inflorescence, this sedge produces distinctive flower clusters. Growing with generally decumbent stems 9 to 20 centimeters tall, it spreads in compact clusters across alpine and subalpine terrain. Its leaves are narrow, flat blades 1.5 to 4 millimeters wide, with occasionally cross-wrinkled sheaths. The plant's unique perigynia are green, dark brown, or coppery, with lanceolate to wide-ovate shapes featuring a small cylindric beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 91 sympatric species. Distinguished by high elevation, dense spherical inflorescence, and decumbent habit.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky slopes, flats, moist soil
Elevation: 2400-4200 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tuolumne, Lassen, Alpine, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Modoc, Mariposa
Outside California: to British Columbia, Rocky Mountains
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 haydeniana native to California?
Yes. Carex haydeniana is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex haydeniana grow?
Carex haydeniana occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tuolumne, Lassen, Alpine, Tulare, Fresno, Madera and other counties, at elevations of 2400-4200 m.
What plant family does Carex haydeniana belong to?
Carex haydeniana is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex haydeniana grow in?
Carex haydeniana grows in Uncommon. Rocky slopes, flats, moist soil.
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.