Taxon Details

Carex xerophila

chaparral sedge

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Taxon Summary:

Carex xerophila, commonly known as chaparral sedge, is a perennial herb in the Cyperaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 279 to 770 meters. Carex xerophila is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification

Scientific Name: Carex xerophila Janeway & Zika
Common Name: chaparral sedge
Family:	Cyperaceae
Element Code:	PMCYP03M60
USDA Plants Symbol:	CAXE2
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status:	JEF, FNA, POWO, IPNI, Tropicos

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Fed List:	None
State List:	None
Global Rank:	G2
State Rank:	S2
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_UCSC
CRPR Changes: added to 1B.2 on 2016-06-06
Add Date:	2016-06-06
Date Edited:	2025-03-05

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb

Blooming Period: Mar-Jun

Elevation:
279 - 770 meters
915 - 2525 feet

General Habitats:

Chaparral
Cismontane woodland
Lower montane coniferous forest

Microhabitat Details:

Microhabitat:

Gabbroic
Serpentine

Notes

Notes: Threatened by development, urbanization, alteration of fire regimes, recreational activities, and non-native plants. Similar to C. brainerdii and C. globosa. See Madroño 61(3):299-307 (2014) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

THREAT LIST:
Threat List Total:	6
	Total EOs	% of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed:	4	27 %
Development	1	6%
Improper burning regime	1	6%
Non-native plant impacts	1	6%
ORV activity	1	6%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	6%
Wood cutting or brush clearing	1	6%

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Element Occurrence Ranks:
Total Occurrences:					15
A	B	C	D	X	U
3	4	0	0	0	8

Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years	2
Recent <=20 Years	13

Presence:
Presumed Extant	15
Possibly Extirpated	0
Presumed Extirpated	0

Location

California Endemic:

California Island:

States: Name (Code)
California (CA)

California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Butte (BUT), El Dorado (ELD), Nevada (NEV), Yuba (YUB)

Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Challenge (3912142), Grass Valley (3912121), Paradise East (3912175), Pilot Hill (3812171), Rackerby (3912143), Rough And Ready (3912122), Shingle Springs (3812068)

Notes:

Definitions of codes following a county and/or quad:
*		Presumed extirpated
(?)		Occurrence confirmed, but possibly extirpated
Quad and county data is imported from the CNDDB. Species may be present in other areas where conditions are favorable. These data should NOT be substituted for pre-project review or for on-site surveys.

Regional Map

Map

Presumed Extant

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CNPS Rare Plant Inventory