Carex lenticularis var. limnophila

Lagoon sedge, Lagoon Sedge

Family: Cyperaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Lagoon sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges in wet places at elevations below 20 meters. Flowering in spring, this sedge produces green to gold spikelets with distinctive purple-tipped beaks. Growing in dense clusters with slender stems, it forms low-growing clumps in coastal wetland environments. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, typical of sedge species, forming delicate tufts close to the ground. The fruit is small, with intriguing green to gold perigynia featuring 5 to 7 prominent veins on each side.

Habitat: Wet places

Elevation: < 20 m

Bioregions: NCo

California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lassen, Yolo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.