Species Details

Carex californica

California sedge

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Species Description:

Carex californica, commonly known as California sedge, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Cyperaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Bogs and fens, Closed-cone coniferous forest, Coastal prairie, Marshes and swamps (margins), and Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 90 to 335 meters. Carex californica is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification

Scientific Name: Carex californica Bailey
Common Name: California sedge
Family:	Cyperaceae
Element Code:	PMCYP032D0
USDA Plants Symbol:	CACA9
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status:	JEP, FNA, POWO, IPNI, Tropicos

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Fed List:	None
State List:	None
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S2
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
Add Date:	1974-01-01
Date Edited:	2021-06-03

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb

Blooming Period: May-Aug

Elevation:
90 - 335 meters
295 - 1100 feet

General Habitats:

Bogs and fens
Closed-cone coniferous forest
Coastal prairie
Meadows and seeps
Marshes and swamps (margins)

Microhabitat Details:

Microhabitat:

Notes

Notes: Threatened by development and road construction and maintenance. Possibly threatened by logging. Sensitive in ID. See Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club 1:9 (1889) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

THREAT LIST:
Threat List Total:	8
	Total EOs	% of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed:	14	34 %
Road/trail construction/maint.	7	17%
Logging	5	12%
Development	4	9%
ORV activity	2	4%
Vandalism/dumping/litter	2	4%
Wood cutting or brush clearing	1	2%
Erosion/runoff	1	2%
Grazing	1	2%

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Element Occurrence Ranks:
Total Occurrences:					41
A	B	C	D	X	U
0	6	2	2	0	31

Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years	4
Recent <=20 Years	37

Presence:
Presumed Extant	41
Possibly Extirpated	0
Presumed Extirpated	0

Location

California Endemic:

California Island:

States: Name (Code)
California (CA), Idaho (ID), Oregon (OR), Washington (WA)

California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Mendocino (MEN), Sonoma (SON)

Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cold Spring (3912315), Elk (3912326), Eureka Hill (3812385), Fort Bragg (3912347), Gualala (3812375), Mathison Peak (3912336), Mendocino (3912337), Plantation (3812353), Point Arena (3812386), Saunders Reef (3812376)

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