Cyperus parishii
Parish's flatsedge
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Cyperus parishii (Parish's flatsedge) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by red deciduous bracts with 7-9 veins and dark purple fruits diagnostic.
Parish's flatsedge is a California native annual found in southwestern desert and desert mountain regions on streambanks and roadsides at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces red to red-purple flowers in spheric spikes with spikelets 6 to 22 millimeters long. Growing in dense tufts 5 to 25 centimeters tall with multiple slender rays, it forms delicate, open inflorescences. Its flower bracts are elliptic, medially green with distinctive red, red-purple, or red-brown edges and 7 to 9 prominent veins. The small fruit is 1 to 1.3 millimeters long, wide-elliptic, and dark purplish-brown.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; red deciduous bracts with 7-9 veins and dark purple fruits diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks, roadsides
Elevation: < 800 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Humboldt, San Diego
Outside California: Arizona
Bloom period
Cyperus parishii 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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Cyperus parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Cyperus parishii bloom?
Cyperus parishii blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Cyperus parishii grow?
Cyperus parishii occurs in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Humboldt, San Diego, at elevations of < 800 m.
What plant family does Cyperus parishii belong to?
Cyperus parishii is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Cyperus.
What habitat does Cyperus parishii grow in?
Cyperus parishii grows in Streambanks, roadsides.
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.