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Carex spissa
Carex spissa L.H. Bailey
San Diego Sedge
Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CASP6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A large sedge with a loose, bunched habit. Culms rise slightly above the grass-like leaves to a height of 3-6 ft.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Spike
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , BrownBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent. Bloom time refers to fruiting period for Carex spp.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CANative Distribution: S. CA
Native Habitat: Wooded waterways in hills & canyons; sea level to 2000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: ShadeSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Moist to wet soils.
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFind Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Carex spissa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Carex spissa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Carex spissa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-24Research By: TWC Staff