Carex scoparia var. scoparia
Pointed broomsedge
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC0
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Carex scoparia var. scoparia (Pointed broomsedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by distinctive lanceolate perigynia tapering to indistinct beak.
Pointed broomsedge is a native perennial sedge found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas County, typically in wet, open places like lakeshores at elevations around 1,200 meters. Flowering from late spring to summer, this sedge produces small, subtle spikelets with gold or brown flower bracts that have green or gold centers. Growing with flexible stems that can be erect or nodding, it forms delicate clumps with thin leaf blades typically 1.5 to 3 millimeters wide. Its leaves have white-membranous sheaths and small ligules measuring 2.3 to 4.8 millimeters long, giving the plant a distinctive fine-textured appearance. The fruit is small, measuring 1.3 to 1.7 millimeters long, with pale to gold-brown perigynia that are lanceolate and thin.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 84 sympatric species; distinctive lanceolate perigynia tapering to indistinct beak
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, open places, lakeshores
Elevation: +- 1200 m.
Outside California: North America
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 scoparia var. scoparia native to California?
Yes. Carex scoparia var. scoparia is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Carex scoparia var. scoparia belong to?
Carex scoparia var. scoparia is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex scoparia var. scoparia rare or endangered?
Carex scoparia var. scoparia carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Carex scoparia var. scoparia grow in?
Carex scoparia var. scoparia grows in Wet, open places, lakeshores.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.