Cyperaceae: Sedge Family — Carex (Sedges)

“Reeds and rushes are round but sedges have edges”.  There is some truth in this popular saying, but it is not always correct.  This page deals with a few members of the Carex genus—sedges as they are commonly understood–which do follow the rule.  Sedges are a highly complex group.  Their inflorescences combine male and female flowers, sometimes on different heads (spikelets), sometimes one above the other on the same head.  A proper botanical key is necessary to identify species with confidence.  They are difficult to identify from photographs alone.

Santa Barbara Sedge – Carex barbarae

Blooms:

May–Aug

Plant Height:

30–110 cm

Flower Size:

2–6 cm spikes

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Moist areas

Notes:

A common sedge, with leaves up to 1 m tall, almost 1 cm wide.  The inflorescence is in several many-flowered spikes.  The terminal spike is male.  The lower, lateral spikes are female, sometimes with male flowers at their tips.  Photos #1, 3 and 4 by CJH.

Sedge, Santa Barbara
Sedge, Santa Barbara
Sedge, Santa Barbara

Bolander’s Sedge – Carex bolanderi

Blooms:

May–Aug

Plant Height:

15–90 cm

Flower Size:

Med clusters

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Moist places

Notes:

A delicate sedge, sometimes erect but often spreading and drooping.  The spikelets are loosely grouped, with prominent bracts.  Mature fruits are 1.5–1.7 mm long, with a forked “beak” extending from the tip.  The beak is 1.5–2.5 mm long.  The fruit in the photo is a little smaller than this, but shows the shape and the forked beak.

Many-stemmed Sedge – Carex multicaulis

Blooms:

Apr–July

Plant Height:

2–60 cm

Flower Size:

Small cluster

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Dry forests above 350 m

Notes:

This is a tufted plant with many stems, which are roundish to somewhat triangular, with a single terminal spikelet.  The lowest bract can be leaf-like, with white margins at the clasping base and longer than the spikelet.  This plant is included to show that not all sedges are found in wet areas; this favors dry areas at higher elevations.

Torrent Sedge – Carex nudata

Blooms:

Apr–July

Plant Height:

30–70 cm

Flower Size:

Spikelets 2–9 cm

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Rocky streambeds

Notes:

Unlike the previous sedge, this is found in the middle of or alongside streams.  It is densely tufted with conspicuous (for a sedge) inflorescences.  The terminal spikelet is male, the lateral spikelets female.