Carex orestera
Boulder sedge, Boulder Sedge
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex orestera (Boulder sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by high alpine habitat distinctive.
Boulder sedge is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains and White and Inyo Mountains on wet or rocky slopes, snow-melt channels, and mountain summits at elevations of 3,000 to 4,200 meters. The sedge forms dense tufted clusters with stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall and gray-green leaf blades 2.5 to 5 millimeters wide. Growing in compact clumps, it develops distinctive head-like spikes with dark purple bracts that have white-tipped margins. Its leaves are narrow and grayish-green, creating a tight, clustered growth pattern characteristic of high-altitude alpine environments. The plant produces small, plump perigynia approximately 2.5 to 3.4 millimeters long, dark purple in color with a minimal beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric species; high alpine habitat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet or +- dry rocky slopes, bowls, snow-melt channels, summits
Elevation: 3000-4200 m
California counties: Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Fresno, Tuolumne
Outside California: to western Canada, 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 orestera native to California?
Yes. Carex orestera is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex orestera grow?
Carex orestera occurs in Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Fresno, Tuolumne, at elevations of 3000-4200 m.
What plant family does Carex orestera belong to?
Carex orestera is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex orestera grow in?
Carex orestera grows in Wet or +- dry rocky slopes, bowls, snow-melt channels, summits.
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.