Carex nigricans
Black alpine sedge
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex nigricans (Black alpine sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by single spikelet and unveined dark perigynia are distinctive.
Black alpine sedge is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada Mountains in wet, rocky slopes and meadows at elevations of 1,900 to 3,700 meters. This sedge produces dark brown spikes in dense clusters, though specific flowering time is not detailed. Growing with rhizomatous roots and slender stems 5 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant forms compact clumps in alpine environments. Its narrow leaves are less than 3 millimeters wide and notably shorter than the plant's inflorescence. The plant's distinctive perigynium is dark brown, shiny, and narrow-elliptic with an obvious beak, creating an intricate architectural form in high-elevation habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 109 sympatric species; single spikelet and unveined dark perigynia are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, rocky slopes, meadows
Elevation: 1900-3700 m
California counties: El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tulare, Alpine, Modoc, Tuolumne, Nevada, Shasta, Mariposa, Placer
Outside California: to Alaska, Colorado
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 nigricans native to California?
Yes. Carex nigricans is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex nigricans grow?
Carex nigricans occurs in El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 1900-3700 m.
What plant family does Carex nigricans belong to?
Carex nigricans is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex nigricans grow in?
Carex nigricans grows in Wet, rocky slopes, meadows.
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.