Carex tiogana
Tioga pass sedge, Tioga Pass Sedge
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Carex tiogana (Tioga pass sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by distinctive sickle-shaped serrate leaves and spiny perigynia.
Tioga pass sedge is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native sedge found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in Mono and Tuolumne counties, occurring in coarse, wet, limey soil at subalpine to alpine elevations of 3,000 to 3,350 meters. Its leaves grow densely clustered and exceed the inflorescence, with narrow blades 1.5 to 3 millimeters wide that curve slightly like a sickle and have distinctively dense, coarse serrated margins. Growing in compact tufts with stems 1.8 to 14 centimeters tall, this sedge forms tight, distinctive clumps in harsh mountain environments. Its leaves have a unique texture, with midribs that are heavily serrated when viewed under magnification and blades that curve elegantly in the alpine landscape. Pistillate flower bracts are white with raised midribs, and the plant produces small, shiny brown fruits with delicate curved spines along the upper body margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 84 sympatric species; distinctive sickle-shaped serrate leaves and spiny perigynia
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coarse, wet, limey soil, subalpine to alpine
Elevation: 3000-3350 m
California counties: Mono, Tuolumne
Outside California: southeastern Oregon (Steens Mountain)
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 tiogana native to California?
Yes. Carex tiogana is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex tiogana grow?
Carex tiogana occurs in Mono, Tuolumne, at elevations of 3000-3350 m.
What plant family does Carex tiogana belong to?
Carex tiogana is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex tiogana rare or endangered?
Carex tiogana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Carex tiogana grow in?
Carex tiogana grows in Coarse, wet, limey soil, subalpine to alpine.
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.