Carex inops subsp. inops
Volcano or long-rhizomed sedge, Volcano Or Long-Rhizomed Sedge
DeanWmTaylor (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex inops subsp. inops (Volcano or long-rhizomed sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by . Key features include rhizomatous habit, narrow male spikes, and white-margined pistillate bracts.
Volcano sedge is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and high northern California ranges in dry open forests, meadows, and forest edges at elevations of 700 to 2,000 meters. Its distinctive inflorescences feature spikelets with green, red, or purple bracts that have striking white margins about 0.4 to 0.8 millimeters wide. Growing with long rhizomes and slender stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, this sedge develops leaves that are typically as long as or longer than its inflorescence. Its narrow leaf blades measure 1 to 3 millimeters wide, creating delicate textural elements in its forest and meadow habitats. The fruit is small and generally white, typically 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long with strong peripheral veins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 94 sympatric species. Key features include rhizomatous habit, narrow male spikes, and white-margined pistillate bracts.
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry open forests, edges, meadows
Elevation: 700-2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, El Dorado, Lassen
Outside California: to British Columbia
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 inops subsp. inops native to California?
Yes. Carex inops subsp. inops is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex inops subsp. inops grow?
Carex inops subsp. inops occurs in Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, El Dorado, Lassen, at elevations of 700-2000 m.
What plant family does Carex inops subsp. inops belong to?
Carex inops subsp. inops is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex inops subsp. inops grow in?
Carex inops subsp. inops grows in dry open forests, edges, meadows.
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.