Carex raynoldsii
Raynold's sedge
(c) Konshau Duman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Carex raynoldsii (Raynold's sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by spreading obovate perigynia with minimal purple beaks.
Raynold's sedge is a California native perennial sedge found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and Warner Mountains in mountain meadows at elevations of 1,800 to 3,100 meters. With a tufted growth habit, this sedge forms dense clusters with stems 20 to 75 centimeters tall and leaf blades 3 to 8 millimeters wide. Its pistillate flower bracts are distinctively purple or feature a pale midrib, creating an unusual visual texture. The sedge produces fruits with green, veined perigynia that spread outward, with each perigynium featuring a subtle purple-tinged beak. Its compact, clustered growth and meadow habitat make it a distinctive component of high-elevation mountain ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 110 sympatric species; key features are spreading obovate perigynia with minimal purple beaks
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: 1800-3100 m
California counties: Butte, Fresno, Alpine, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Tulare, Tuolumne, Lassen, Siskiyou, Modoc, Placer
Outside California: to British Columbia, Rocky Mountains
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 raynoldsii native to California?
Yes. Carex raynoldsii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex raynoldsii grow?
Carex raynoldsii occurs in Butte, Fresno, Alpine, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada and other counties, at elevations of 1800-3100 m.
What plant family does Carex raynoldsii belong to?
Carex raynoldsii is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
What habitat does Carex raynoldsii grow in?
Carex raynoldsii grows in Meadows.
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.