Carex serpenticola
Serpentine sedge
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Carex serpenticola (Serpentine sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat, few perigynia per spike, and 2-toothed beak.
Serpentine sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in dry to moist savanna, riparian areas, and spring margins on serpentine soils at elevations of 100 to 1,200 meters. This sedge produces distinctive spikelets with dark purple flower bracts edged in thin white margins, with pistillate and staminate spikes varying from 8 to 47 millimeters long. Growing in rhizomatous clumps occasionally forming dense mats, it develops weak, drooping stems with narrow leaf blades 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters wide. Its leaves have fibrous sheaths with coarse veins, featuring a ligule that is typically wider than long. The fruit is pale to brown, approximately 1.9 to 2.2 millimeters long, with plump perigynia that entirely fill their protective coverings.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 76 sympatric species; diagnostic serpentine habitat, few perigynia per spike, and 2-toothed beak
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry to moist savanna, riparian, spring margins, on serpentine
Elevation: 100-1200 m
California counties: Del Norte
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 serpenticola native to California?
Yes. Carex serpenticola is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex serpenticola grow?
Carex serpenticola occurs in Del Norte, at elevations of 100-1200 m.
What plant family does Carex serpenticola belong to?
Carex serpenticola is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex serpenticola rare or endangered?
Carex serpenticola carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Carex serpenticola grow in?
Carex serpenticola grows in dry to moist savanna, riparian, spring margins, on serpentine.
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.