Cyperus odoratus
Fragrant flatsedge
(c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zihao Wang · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Cyperus odoratus (Fragrant flatsedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by large bracts, non-flattened spikelets, and front-to-back compressed fruits distinctive.
Fragrant flatsedge is a California native annual found in the Great Valley, southern coastal, and desert bioregions in wet disturbed soils at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces red to straw, brown, or tan flowers with green centers in loosely arranged spikes. Growing with slender stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms an open inflorescence with 6 to 12 rays spreading outward. Its leaf-like bracts extend 5 to 24 centimeters, surrounding delicate linear spikelets with flower bracts 2 to 3.5 millimeters long. The fruit is small and slightly flattened, measuring 1.5 to 1.9 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; large bracts, non-flattened spikelets, and front-to-back compressed fruits distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet disturbed soils
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Alameda, Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, Colusa, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Yolo, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Sutter, Glenn, Contra Costa, Marin, Merced, Madera, Sacramento, Fresno, Siskiyou, Kings, Butte
Outside California: tropics, warm temperate
Bloom period
Cyperus odoratus blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Carex: Cyperus has umbrella clusters with flat spikes; Carex has brown/green spikelets with seeds in individual flasks.; vs Scirpus: Cyperus has flattened ribbon-like spikes; Scirpus has rounded, cylindrical spikelets.; vs Juncus: Cyperus has triangular stems and flat flower spikes; Juncus has round stems and individual flowers.; vs Sticherus: Cyperus is a sedge with triangular stem; Sticherus is a fern with fronds.; vs Eleusine: Cyperus has triangular stems; Eleusine is a grass with round stems and obvious grass flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cyperus odoratus native to California?
Yes. Cyperus odoratus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cyperus odoratus bloom?
Cyperus odoratus blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Cyperus odoratus grow?
Cyperus odoratus occurs in Alameda, Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, Colusa, Imperial, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Cyperus odoratus belong to?
Cyperus odoratus is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Cyperus.
What habitat does Cyperus odoratus grow in?
Cyperus odoratus grows in Wet disturbed soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.