Carex lasiocarpa
Woolly-fruited sedge, Woolly-Fruited Sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Carex lasiocarpa (Woolly-fruited sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by aquatic habitat, narrow inrolled leaves with thread tips, and thick-walled ribbed perigynia.
Woolly-fruited sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, California High Cascade Range, and northern Sierra Nevada Highlands in southern Plumas County, inhabiting lake and pond shores with standing water at elevations of 600 to 2,100 meters. Spreading through rhizomes, this sedge produces slender stems 60 to 120 centimeters tall with narrow, inrolled leaves that often curl into thread-like tips. Its leaves are exceptionally thin, measuring just 0.7 to 2 millimeters wide, with a subtle midvein and occasionally ciliate leaf sheaths. The plant develops distinctive pistillate spikelets with narrow, purple-brown bracts that have white margins and delicate awns. Its fruits are small, woolly structures approximately 1.5 to 2.1 millimeters long, with thick-walled perigynia that are generally purple-tinged with subtle ribbing.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 109 sympatric species. Distinguished by aquatic habitat, narrow inrolled leaves with thread tips, and thick-walled ribbed perigynia.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Lake, pond shores, generally standing water
Elevation: 600-2100 m
California counties: Plumas, Fresno, Nevada, Marin, Sonoma, Modoc, Lassen, Shasta, Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 lasiocarpa native to California?
Yes. Carex lasiocarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex lasiocarpa grow?
Carex lasiocarpa occurs in Plumas, Fresno, Nevada, Marin, Sonoma, Modoc, Lassen, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 600-2100 m.
What plant family does Carex lasiocarpa belong to?
Carex lasiocarpa is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex lasiocarpa rare or endangered?
Carex lasiocarpa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Carex lasiocarpa grow in?
Carex lasiocarpa grows in Lake, pond shores, generally standing water.
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.