Taxon Report

Carex occidentalis Bailey

western sedge

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Carex occidentalis, commonly known as western sedge, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Cyperaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Lower montane coniferous forest, and Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 1645 to 3135 meters. Carex occidentalis is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Carex occidentalis Bailey
Common Name:
 western sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Element Code: PMCYP039M0
USDA Plants Symbol: CAOC2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Aug Jun-Aug
Elevation: 1645-3135 (5395-10285)
General Habitats: Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.3
Global Rank: G4
State Rank:
 S3
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: SB_CalBG/RSABG
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 8
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 8

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX), Mono (MNO), Riverside (RIV), San Bernardino (SBD)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Bear Lake (3411628), Chris Flat (3811944), Crystal Lake (3411737), Moonridge (3411627), Mount San Antonio (3411736), Onyx Peak (3411626), San Jacinto Peak (3311676)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

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

 

Notes
Known in CA only from the San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and White Mountains. Endangered in ID. See Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club 1:14 (1889) 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 28 November 2025].