Carex saliniformis
Deceiving sedge, Deceiving Sedge
(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ed Alverson · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Carex saliniformis (Deceiving sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by distinctive dark-tipped perigynia with no beak and leaf-like bracts.
Deceiving sedge is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern coastal and San Francisco Bay bioregions in marshes and pond shores at elevations below 250 meters. Flowering times are not specified in the source data, but it produces inflorescences with lateral spikelets 6 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with rhizomatous roots and stems with blunt upper angles, this sedge develops slender leaves 2 to 5 millimeters wide. Its leaf bracts have distinctive margins, often white or red-brown with stout, ciliate awns less than 2.4 millimeters long. The fruit is small, approximately 1.4 to 1.9 millimeters long, with a dark red-brown or purple tip and sessile, papillate perigynia.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species; distinctive dark-tipped perigynia with no beak and leaf-like bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes, pond shores, wet openings
Elevation: < 250 m
California counties: Mendocino, Humboldt, Santa Cruz
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 saliniformis native to California?
Yes. Carex saliniformis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex saliniformis grow?
Carex saliniformis occurs in Mendocino, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, at elevations of < 250 m.
What plant family does Carex saliniformis belong to?
Carex saliniformis is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex saliniformis rare or endangered?
Carex saliniformis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Carex saliniformis grow in?
Carex saliniformis grows in Marshes, pond shores, wet openings.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.