Carex laeviculmis
Smooth-stemmed sedge
(c) Nolan Exe, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex laeviculmis (Smooth-stemmed sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by . Key features include open inflorescence, obvious sometimes recurved beaks comprising 15-40% of perigynium.
Smooth-stemmed sedge is a native perennial sedge found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Coast Ranges, southern California Range, and northern Sierra Nevada in moist woodland soils at elevations of 700 to 1,800 meters. Producing golden-white-margined flower bracts with acute tips, this sedge forms dense tufted clusters with delicate inflorescences. Growing with fine stems that are 0.9 to 2.3 millimeters wide, it develops compact clumps in woodland environments. Its leaves are narrow, with blade-like structures that provide a fine, compact growth pattern. The plant's fruit features an ascending or spreading perigynia with a distinctive narrow-conic beak, often green to brown in color.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 111 sympatric species. Key features include open inflorescence, obvious sometimes recurved beaks comprising 15-40% of perigynium.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist soil in woodland
Elevation: 700-1800 m
California counties: Plumas, Butte, Humboldt, Nevada, Siskiyou, El Dorado, Del Norte, Sierra, Tehama, Yuba, Mariposa, Trinity, Placer
Outside California: to Alaska, 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 laeviculmis native to California?
Yes. Carex laeviculmis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex laeviculmis grow?
Carex laeviculmis occurs in Plumas, Butte, Humboldt, Nevada, Siskiyou, El Dorado, Del Norte, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 700-1800 m.
What plant family does Carex laeviculmis belong to?
Carex laeviculmis is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex laeviculmis grow in?
Carex laeviculmis grows in Moist soil in woodland.
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.