Carex obnupta
Slough sedge, Slough Sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex obnupta (Slough sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by very long flexible spikelets and unveined perigynia.
Slough sedge is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including northern Coast Ranges, central Coast, and San Francisco Bay area in moist openings, shores, and redwood forests at elevations below 1,100 meters. This sedge produces distinctive lateral spikelets that are flexible and nodding, with staminate tips and white-margined pistillate flower bracts. Growing in dense, large clumps with rhizomatous roots, it develops erect stems with distinctive purple-prickled leaf sheaths. Its leaf blades are 3 to 7 millimeters wide, with lower leaves featuring fibrous sheaths and thickened leaf mouths. The plant produces dark brown, shiny fruits with thick walls that are often deeply indented on one or two sides, measuring 1.4 to 2.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 76 sympatric species; very long flexible spikelets and unveined perigynia
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist openings, shores, redwood forest
Elevation: < 1100 m
California counties: Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, Mendocino, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Colusa, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Alameda, Placer, Napa, Amador
Outside California: to British Columbia
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 obnupta native to California?
Yes. Carex obnupta is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex obnupta grow?
Carex obnupta occurs in Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, Mendocino, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of < 1100 m.
What plant family does Carex obnupta belong to?
Carex obnupta is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex obnupta grow in?
Carex obnupta grows in Moist openings, shores, redwood 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.