Taxon Report

Carex hystericina Muhl.

porcupine sedge

Print Report


©2014 Robert E. Preston, Ph.D.

Taxon Summary

Carex hystericina, commonly known as porcupine sedge, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Cyperaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Marshes and swamps, growing at elevations from 610 to 2400 meters. Carex hystericina is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Carex hystericina Muhl.
Common Name:
porcupine sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Element Code: PMCYP036D0
USDA Plants Symbol: CAHY4
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: May-Jun May-Jun
Elevation: 610-2400 (2000-7875)
General Habitats: Marshes and swamps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Alpine (ALP), El Dorado (ELD), Lake (LAK), Siskiyou (SIS), Trinity (TRI)*
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bark Shanty Gulch (4112345), Bartlett Springs (3912226), Caples Lake (3812061), Carson Pass (3811968), Echo Lake (3812071), Freel Peak (3811978), Lewiston (4012267)*, Somes Bar (4112344)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 1
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 25 %
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 25%

Notes

Endangered in OR, and state-listed as Sensitive in WA.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Carex hystericina profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2018)
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].