Taxon Report

Carex xerophila Janeway & Zika

chaparral sedge

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Taxon Summary

Carex xerophila, commonly known as chaparral sedge, is a perennial herb in the Cyperaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 279 to 770 meters. Carex xerophila is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Carex xerophila Janeway & Zika
Common Name:	chaparral sedge
Family:	Cyperaceae
Element Code:	PMCYP03M60
USDA Plants Symbol:	CAXE2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: Mar-Jun	Mar-Jun
Elevation:	279-770 (915-2525)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Lower montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat:	Gabbroic, Serpentine
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S; SB_UCSC
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.2 on 2016-06-06

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	15
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	3
Good (B)	4
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	8

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Butte (BUT), El Dorado (ELD), Nevada (NEV), Yuba (YUB)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Challenge (3912142), Grass Valley (3912121), Paradise East (3912175), Pilot Hill (3812171), Rackerby (3912143), Rough And Ready (3912122), Shingle Springs (3812068)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	6
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	27 %
Development	1	6%
Improper burning regime	1	6%
Non-native plant impacts	1	6%
ORV activity	1	6%
Road/trail construction/maint.	1	6%
Wood cutting or brush clearing	1	6%

Notes



Threatened by development, urbanization, alteration of fire regimes, recreational activities, and non-native plants. Similar to C. brainerdii and C. globosa. See Madroño 61(3):299-307 (2014) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Proposed Addition to CRPR 1B.2, G2G3 / S2S3 (2016)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 26 November 2025].