Carex praeceptorum
Teacher sedge, Teacher Sedge
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex praeceptorum (Teacher sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by leaning stems and wide-conic dark beaks.
Teacher sedge is a California native perennial sedge found in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains in wet places at elevations of 2,200 to 3,500 meters. Its distinctive growth form includes stems that generally lean at a 45-degree angle, ranging 10 to 30 centimeters tall and growing in dense, cespitose clusters. The sedge produces narrow leaf blades about 1.2 to 2.5 millimeters wide, with inflorescences often dense and compact, featuring up to 10 spikelets 4 to 7 millimeters long. Its pistillate flower bracts are light brown with delicate white margins, creating an elegant appearance. The fruit is characterized by a golden perigynia with a papillate upper body and distinctive wide-conic dark brown beaks.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 76 sympatric species; diagnostic leaning stems and wide-conic dark beaks
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places
Elevation: 2200-3500 m
California counties: Inyo, Fresno, Mono, Tulare, Tuolumne, Alpine, Madera, Shasta, Tehama
Outside California: to British Columbia, 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 praeceptorum native to California?
Yes. Carex praeceptorum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex praeceptorum grow?
Carex praeceptorum occurs in Inyo, Fresno, Mono, Tulare, Tuolumne, Alpine, Madera, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 2200-3500 m.
What plant family does Carex praeceptorum belong to?
Carex praeceptorum is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex praeceptorum grow in?
Carex praeceptorum grows in 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.