Carex tompkinsii
Tompkins' sedge
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Carex tompkinsii (Tompkins' sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by no sympatric species.
Tompkins' sedge is a California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains on open forest slopes at elevations of 400 to 1,900 meters. Without specific color information for flowers, this sedge grows in open forest environments from spring to summer. Growing with multiple stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall, the stems have sharp upper angles that become rough toward the tip. Its leaves are flat, approximately 1.5 to 3 millimeters wide, and typically as long as the plant's inflorescence. The lower pistillate flower bracts are distinctive, measuring 1 to 15 centimeters long, with green coloration and white margins that clasp the plant's base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open forest, slopes
Elevation: 400-1900 m
California counties: Fresno, Mariposa, Calaveras, Nevada, Trinity, Butte
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 tompkinsii native to California?
Yes. Carex tompkinsii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex tompkinsii grow?
Carex tompkinsii occurs in Fresno, Mariposa, Calaveras, Nevada, Trinity, Butte, at elevations of 400-1900 m.
What plant family does Carex tompkinsii belong to?
Carex tompkinsii is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex tompkinsii rare or endangered?
Carex tompkinsii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3S4.
What habitat does Carex tompkinsii grow in?
Carex tompkinsii grows in Open forest, slopes.
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.