Taxon Report

Carex obispoensis Stacey

San Luis Obispo sedge

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Species Description:
Carex obispoensis, commonly known as San Luis Obispo sedge, is a perennial cespitose herb in the Cyperaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Closed-cone coniferous forest, Coastal prairie, Coastal scrub, and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 10 to 820 meters. Carex obispoensis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Carex obispoensis Stacey
Common Name:
San Luis Obispo sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Element Code: PMCYP039J0
USDA Plants Symbol: CAOB2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial cespitose herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jun Apr-Jun
Elevation: 10-820 (35-2690)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Closed-cone coniferous forest, Coastal prairie, Coastal scrub, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat: Clay (often), Gabbroic (sometimes), Seeps (often), Serpentine (often)
Microhabitat Details: often on clay soils

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 29
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 4
   Good (B) 3
   Fair (C) 2
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 20
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Monterey (MNT), San Diego (SDG), San Luis Obispo (SLO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Alpine (3211677), Atascadero (3512046), Big Sur (3612137), Burnett Peak (3512172), Cambria (3512151), Cape San Martin (3512184), Dulzura (3211667), Lopez Mtn. (3512035), Lopez Point (3612115), Morro Bay South (3512037), Pebblestone Shut-in (3512161), Piedras Blancas (3512163), Pismo Beach (3512026), San Luis Obispo (3512036), San Simeon (3512162), Santa Margarita Lake (3512034)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 12
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
11 38 %
Grazing 7 24%
Non-native plant impacts 4 13%
Road/trail construction/maint. 4 13%
Improper burning regime 3 10%
Military operations 3 10%
Mining 3 10%
Feral pigs 3 10%
Erosion/runoff 2 6%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 1 3%
Development 1 3%
Wood cutting or brush clearing 1 3%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 1 3%

Notes

Threatened by grazing, non-native plants, military activities, and mining. Possibly threatened by recreational activities.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 January 2025].