Carex viridula subsp. viridula
Green yellow sedge, Green Yellow Sedge
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Carex viridula subsp. viridula (Green yellow sedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by distinctive long-sheathed bracts and specialized bog habitat.
Green yellow sedge is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, Klamath Ranges, and central Sierra Nevada at elevations below 1,800 meters, growing in Sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, dune swales, lakeshores, and serpentine fens. Flowering in summer months, this sedge produces small green and red-centered flowers in dense linear clusters. Growing in tufted clumps with stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms compact bunches in wet, marshy environments. Its narrow leaves are approximately 1.5 to 3 millimeters wide, with ascending blades characteristic of wetland sedge species. The fruit is yellow-green to brown, with a distinctive narrow-conic beak 0.6 to 1.2 millimeters long and a crowded, spreading perigynia.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 118 sympatric species; distinctive long-sheathed bracts and specialized bog habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, dune swales, lakeshores, serpentine fens
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Europe, eastern Asia
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 viridula subsp. viridula native to California?
Yes. Carex viridula subsp. viridula is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Carex viridula subsp. viridula grow?
Carex viridula subsp. viridula occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Carex viridula subsp. viridula belong to?
Carex viridula subsp. viridula is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Carex.
Is Carex viridula subsp. viridula rare or endangered?
Carex viridula subsp. viridula carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Carex viridula subsp. viridula grow in?
Carex viridula subsp. viridula grows in Sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, dune swales, lakeshores, serpentine fens.
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.