Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Carex livida is a species of sedge known by the common names livid sedge and pale sedge. It has a scattered, interrupted circumboreal distribution, occurring throughout much of Eurasia and northern North America. It also occurs in Panama and South America. It is extirpated in California. This sedge forms small clumps of stems up to 50 to 55 centimeters tall. The stiff, leathery leaves are a pale, waxy blue-gray and have channels on their surfaces. The inflorescence contains separate pistillate and staminate spikes. The plant spreads mostly by sprouting from its rhizome, but it also produces seed.

Plant type

Grass

Size

1 - 2 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Green

Flowering season

Summer

Special uses

Containers

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 3 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Dun Skipper

Euphyes vestris

Umber Skipper

Poanes melane