Carex vallicola
Western valley sedge, Western Valley Sedge
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Carex vallicola (Western valley sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by distinctive bulged perigynia with displaced marginal ribs.
Western valley sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial sedge found in northern and central Sierra Nevada, Sierra Nevada Eastern region, White and Inyo Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in moist to slightly dry montane slopes at elevations of 1,800 to 3,100 meters. Growing with cespitose (loosely clustered) stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall, this sedge has narrow leaf blades just 0.5 to 2 millimeters wide. Its inflorescences are compact, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters long with 4 to 8 millimeters width and containing fewer than 10 spikelets, with white, mucronate (short-pointed) pistillate flower bracts. The fruits are small, measuring 1.6 to 2.5 millimeters long, with spreading perigynia that are green to light brown, shiny, and featuring a distinctive bulged abaxial surface. The plant produces perigynia with a short 0.6 to 1 millimeter beak and subtle reddish teeth.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 51 sympatric species; distinctive bulged perigynia with displaced marginal ribs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist to +- dry slopes, montane
Elevation: 1800-3100 m
California counties: Alpine, Mono, Lassen, Mariposa, Humboldt, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to British Columbia, South Dakota, New Mexico, Mexico
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 vallicola native to California?
Yes. Carex vallicola is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex vallicola grow?
Carex vallicola occurs in Alpine, Mono, Lassen, Mariposa, Humboldt, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 1800-3100 m.
What plant family does Carex vallicola belong to?
Carex vallicola is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex vallicola rare or endangered?
Carex vallicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Carex vallicola grow in?
Carex vallicola grows in Moist to +- dry slopes, montane.
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.