Carex pachycarpa
Furrowed broomsedge
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Carex pachycarpa (Furrowed broomsedge) is a native California perennial in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by furrowed perigynia and dense inflorescence.
Furrowed broomsedge is a California native perennial sedge found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and Sierra Nevada Mountains in meadows and dry soils at elevations of 1,300 to 2,300 meters. Flowering time is not specified in available data, though the plant produces light brown or red-brown flower bracts in dense, head-like inflorescences 10 to 22 millimeters long. Growing with narrow leaf blades 2 to 5 millimeters wide, this sedge forms compact clusters with relatively short stems. Its distinctive leaves are characterized by a bristle-like inflorescence bract and tightly clustered spikelets that appear somewhat indistinct from a distance. The fruit is small, approximately 2 to 2.3 millimeters long, with a planoconvex ovate body that ranges from green to light brown.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 109 sympatric species; key features are furrowed perigynia and dense inflorescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, dry soil
Elevation: 1300-2300 m
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, 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 pachycarpa native to California?
Yes. Carex pachycarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Carex pachycarpa belong to?
Carex pachycarpa is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex pachycarpa grow in?
Carex pachycarpa grows in Meadows, dry soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.