Carex incurviformis
Mount dana or incurved sedge, Mount Dana Or Incurved Sedge
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Carex incurviformis (Mount dana or incurved sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by NONE - geographically isolated. Extreme high elevation alpine specialist.
Mount dana sedge is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains in alpine zones on open, dry gravelly or rocky slopes at elevations of 3,700 to 4,000 meters. Growing with an extremely short stems less than 6 centimeters tall, this sedge forms long, wavy rhizomes that spread across rocky alpine terrain. Its narrow leaves are less than 1.5 millimeters wide and extend beyond the plant's dense, compact inflorescence. The inflorescence features 5 to 8 tightly clustered spikelets with pistillate flower bracts that are acuminate and brown with white margins. The fruit is small, approximately 1.4 to 1.7 millimeters long, with shiny brown perigynia that have numerous veins on both sides.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE - geographically isolated. Extreme high elevation alpine specialist.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, dry gravelly or rocky slopes, alpine
Elevation: 3700-4000 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Tuolumne, Fresno, Mariposa
Outside California: Alaska to Colorado
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 incurviformis native to California?
Yes. Carex incurviformis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex incurviformis grow?
Carex incurviformis occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tulare, Tuolumne, Fresno, Mariposa, at elevations of 3700-4000 m.
What plant family does Carex incurviformis belong to?
Carex incurviformis is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex incurviformis rare or endangered?
Carex incurviformis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Carex incurviformis grow in?
Carex incurviformis grows in Open, dry gravelly or rocky slopes, alpine.
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.