Carex neurophora
Veined or alpine nerved sedge, Veined Sedge
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex neurophora (Veined or alpine nerved sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by narrow stems and serrated beak distinguish from nervina.
Veined sedge is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern coastal ranges in moist to wet places at elevations of 1,500 to 2,100 meters. Flowering times are not specified in the source data, with white-margined brown spikelets arranged in dense clusters 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing in large raised clumps with stems not exceeding 1.5 millimeters wide, this sedge develops distinctive cross-wrinkled leaf sheaths with tongue-like extensions. Its leaves are narrow, measuring 1.5 to 3 millimeters wide, with blades emerging from dense, clustered growth. The fruit features a shiny brown perigynia with many ribs, approximately 1.1 to 1.6 millimeters long and widely tapered above its base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 80 sympatric species; narrow stems and serrated beak distinguish from nervina
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist to wet places
Elevation: 1500-2100 m
California counties: Trinity, Tehama, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Tulare, Sacramento
Outside California: to Washington, Rocky Mountains
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 neurophora native to California?
Yes. Carex neurophora is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex neurophora grow?
Carex neurophora occurs in Trinity, Tehama, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Tulare, Sacramento, at elevations of 1500-2100 m.
What plant family does Carex neurophora belong to?
Carex neurophora is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex neurophora grow in?
Carex neurophora grows in Moist to wet places.
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.