Taxon Report

Carex tompkinsii J.T. Howell

Tompkins' sedge

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Carex tompkinsii, commonly known as Tompkins' sedge, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Cyperaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest, and Upper montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 420 to 1830 meters. Carex tompkinsii is ranked 4.3, Plants of Limited Distribution, A Watch List; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Carex tompkinsii J.T. Howell
Common Name:	Tompkins' sedge
Family:	Cyperaceae
Element Code:	PMCYP03DR0
USDA Plants Symbol:	CATO9
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: May-Jul	May-Jul
Elevation:	420-1830 (1380-6005)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest, Upper montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat:	Granitic (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	4.3
Global Rank:	G3G4
State Rank:	S3S4
State List:	CR
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	17
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	2
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	14

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Fresno (FRE), Mariposa (MPA), Tuolumne (TUO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cedar Grove (3611876), Cherry Lake South (3711988), El Capitan (3711966), El Portal (3711967), Hume (3611878), Kinsley (3711968), Lake Eleanor (3711987), Patterson Mtn. (3611981), Slide Bluffs (3611886), Tehipite Dome (3611887), The Sphinx (3611875), Twain Harte (3812012), Verplank Ridge (3611971), Wren Peak (3611877)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	5
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	9	53 %
Road/trail construction/maint.	8	47%
Foot traffic/trampling	2	11%
Biocides	2	11%
Development	2	11%
Erosion/runoff	1	5%

Notes



See Leaflets of Western Botany 9(12):185-187 (1961) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 18 April 2025].