Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Carex mertensii is a species of sedge known by the common name Mertens' sedge. It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Montana, where it grows in moist and wet habitat in mountain forests and meadows. This sedge produces clumps of stems reaching maximum heights between 80 and 120 centimeters. The leaves are small; those toward the bases of the stems are reduced to sheaths only. The flower cluster is a densely packed, bullet shaped cluster of overlapping flowers, mainly hanging on long peduncles. Each flower cluster is generally 2 to 4 centimeters long. Each of the flowers has a dark-colored leaf.

Plant type

Grass

Size

3 - 4 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Slow

Calscape icon
Color

Purple

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Containers

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Site type

Wet open places

Plant communities

Red Fir Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Dun Skipper

Euphyes vestris