Carex proposita
Potato chip sedge, Potato Chip Sedge
(c) Mark Pollock, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex proposita (Potato chip sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by crinkled wing margins.
Potato chip sedge is a California native perennial sedge found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in rocky places at elevations of 3,000 to 4,100 meters. With narrow, distinctively folded blades typically 0.5 to 2.7 millimeters wide, this sedge forms dense, compact clusters with ovate to elliptic inflorescences 15 to 25 millimeters long. Growing with fine, delicate stems, the plant develops distinctive gold to coppery brown perigynia with green margins and subtle crinkled textures. Its leaves are tightly folded or channeled toward the base, creating a unique, compact growth form with short ligules measuring 0.9 to 2 millimeters long. The fruit is small, ranging from 1.5 to 2.1 millimeters in length, with perigynia that have 3 to 11 obvious abaxial veins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; diagnostic crinkled wing margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky places
Elevation: 3000-4100 m
California counties: Inyo, Fresno, Siskiyou, Tulare, Placer, Madera, Mono
Outside California: Washington, central Idaho
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 proposita native to California?
Yes. Carex proposita is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex proposita grow?
Carex proposita occurs in Inyo, Fresno, Siskiyou, Tulare, Placer, Madera, Mono, at elevations of 3000-4100 m.
What plant family does Carex proposita belong to?
Carex proposita is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex proposita grow in?
Carex proposita grows in Uncommon. Rocky 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.