Carex limosa
Mud sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Carex limosa (Mud sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by nodding spikelets and hairy roots are distinctive.
Mud sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northeastern California high country, southern Sierra Nevada, and Warner Mountains in Sphagnum bogs at elevations of 1,200 to 2,700 meters. This sedge has lateral spikelets on long, nodding stalks with pistillate flower bracts generally brown in color. Growing with rhizomatous roots and stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall that are obviously hairy, the plant develops slender leaf blades 1 to 3 millimeters wide. Its leaves are predominantly basal and minute, creating a delicate ground-hugging appearance. The fruit is distinctive, with a thick, tough perigynia 1.5 to 2.7 millimeters long, brown-glaucous in color and tapering to a wide conical tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 110 sympatric species; nodding spikelets and hairy roots are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sphagnum bogs
Elevation: 1200-2700 m
California counties: El Dorado, Fresno, Plumas, Tuolumne, Alpine, Nevada, Tehama, Lassen, Butte, Siskiyou, Mariposa
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana, eastern Canada, Utah, Eurasia
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 limosa native to California?
Yes. Carex limosa is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex limosa grow?
Carex limosa occurs in El Dorado, Fresno, Plumas, Tuolumne, Alpine, Nevada, Tehama, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 1200-2700 m.
What plant family does Carex limosa belong to?
Carex limosa is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex limosa rare or endangered?
Carex limosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Carex limosa grow in?
Carex limosa grows in Sphagnum bogs.
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.