Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Carex nudata is a species in the Cyperaceae (Sedge) family known by several common names, including Torrent Sedge, California Black-flowering Sedge, Dudley's Sedge, and Naked Sedge. This is a bright green sedge which grows in mounds below the high-water mark in marshes and on river banks. It bears long scaly spikes of black, dark reddish or dusky brown flowers, which begin erect and then droop when they become heavy. It grows amidst rocks and becomes a dense mounding tussock. It is found mainly in California and Oregon.

Plant type

Grass

Size

1 - 2 ft Tall
2 ft Wide

Form

Fountain

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

Red, Cream, Black, Brown

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant

Sun

Partial Shade, Deep Shade

Water

Moderate, High

Summer irrigation

Keep moist

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 5° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerates rocky, gravelly, sandy or clay soils as long as plenty of water is available.

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Site type

Rocky or sandy streambeds

Plant communities

Chaparral, Douglas-Fir Forest, Foothill Woodland, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Use with other marsh plants such as Carex spp., Spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), Rush (Juncus spp.), Saltmarsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata), Arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), Willow (Salix spp.), Hedge Nettle (Stachys bullata), and Cattail (Typha spp.)

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 7 likely

Confirmed Likely

American Ear Moth

Amphipoea americana

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Olive Green Cutworm Moth

Dargida procinctus

Elachista cucullata