Carex stevenii

Steven's sedge

Family: Cyperaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Steven's sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the White Mountains on alpine creekbanks at elevations of 2,800 to 2,900 meters. With blunt spikelets dark purple to brown, this sedge forms dense tufted clusters with delicate inflorescences. Growing 15 to 60 centimeters tall with characteristic cespitose growth, it develops slender stems supporting narrow leaf blades 3 to 4 millimeters wide. Its leaves and spikelets feature distinctive dark purple bracts that contrast against the green to olive-colored perigynia. The compact fruit measures 1.8 to 2 millimeters long, with a short beak and papillate surface characteristic of alpine sedge species.

Habitat: Uncommon. Alpine creekbanks

Elevation: 2800-2900 m

Bioregions: W&ampI (White Mtns)

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.