Carex multicostata
Many-ribbed sedge
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex multicostata (Many-ribbed sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by many prominent veins on perigynia.
Many-ribbed sedge is a California native perennial sedge found in the high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, and San Jacinto Mountains in dry meadows and open conifer forests at elevations of 1,900 to 3,500 meters. Its flat leaf blades are 2 to 6 millimeters wide with distinctive dense, elliptic inflorescences 20 to 40 millimeters long. Growing with compact clusters of spikelets, this sedge produces reddish-brown pistillate flower bracts with wide white margins. Its leaves feature narrow, flat blades with multiple distinct veins, creating a ribbed appearance characteristic of the species. The fruit is small, ovate to narrow-ovate, with green to light brown translucent walls and prominent veins along its surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 107 sympatric species; many prominent veins on perigynia are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry soil, meadows, open conifer forest
Elevation: 1900-3500 m
California counties: El Dorado, Fresno, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alpine, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Inyo, Madera, Placer, Humboldt, Amador, Glenn, Nevada, Mariposa, Kern, Sierra, Butte, Lassen, Lake, Tehama, Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Mendocino, San Diego, Napa
Outside California: western Nevada
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 multicostata native to California?
Yes. Carex multicostata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex multicostata grow?
Carex multicostata occurs in El Dorado, Fresno, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alpine, Plumas, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 1900-3500 m.
What plant family does Carex multicostata belong to?
Carex multicostata is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex multicostata grow in?
Carex multicostata grows in dry soil, meadows, open conifer forest.
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.