Carex leptalea
Bristle-stalked sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Carex leptalea (Bristle-stalked sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by distinctive for few perigynia per spikelet and beakless perigynia.
Bristle-stalked sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, and north-central coastal regions in wet meadows and swamps at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering in spring and summer, this sedge produces small white to reddish-brown flowers in delicate spikes approximately 2 to 3 millimeters wide. Growing with slender rhizomatous stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, the plant forms dense, fine-textured clumps in moist environments. Its narrow leaves are flat or slightly folded, measuring just 0.5 to 1 millimeter wide and typically equal to or slightly shorter than the flowering stalks. The plant produces small fruits 1.3 to 1.8 millimeters long with multiple fine green to straw-colored perigynia.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 104 sympatric species; distinctive for few perigynia per spikelet and beakless perigynia
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, swamps
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Marin, Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte
Outside California: North America, Mexico, Caribbean
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 leptalea native to California?
Yes. Carex leptalea is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex leptalea grow?
Carex leptalea occurs in Marin, Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Carex leptalea belong to?
Carex leptalea is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex leptalea rare or endangered?
Carex leptalea carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Carex leptalea grow in?
Carex leptalea grows in Wet meadows, swamps.
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.