Taxon Report

Carex scoparia Willd. var. scoparia

pointed broom sedge

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Carex scoparia var. scoparia, commonly known as pointed broom sedge, is a perennial herb in the Cyperaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Marshes and swamps, growing at elevations from 1205 to 1280 meters. Carex scoparia var. scoparia is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Carex scoparia Willd. var. scoparia
Common Name:
 pointed broom sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Element Code: PMCYP03C91
USDA Plants Symbol: CASCS
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Carex scoparia

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Sep Jul-Sep
Elevation: 1205-1280 (3955-4200)
General Habitats: Marshes and swamps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G5T5
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2A to 2B.2 on 2021-04-28
  • changed from 2B.2 to 2A on 2015-09-15
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 2
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Plumas (PLU)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Meadow Valley (3912181), Quincy (3912088)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 0
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
0 %

 

Notes
Rediscovered in 2016 by J. Belsher-Howe. SHA Co. specimen was determined to be C. longii. See Species Plantarum, Editio quarta 4(1):230-231 (1805) for original description.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Proposed Change from CRPR 2B.2, G5T5 / S1 to 2A, G5T5 / SX (2015)
Proposed Change from CRPR 2A, G5T5 / SX to 2B.2, G5T5 / S1 (2021)
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 11 November 2025].