Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Carex pachystachya is a species of sedge known by the common name Chamisso sedge. It is native to western North America from Alaska to Saskatchewan to California, where it grows in dry to wet areas in many types of forest and grassland habitat. This sedge produces dense clumps of erect stems up to 1.2 meters in maximum height. The flower cluster is a dense or open cluster of several spikes of flowers. The pistillate flowers are covered in reddish or brown leafs. The fruit is coated in a sac called a perigynium which is brown or coppery with a metallic sheen and a long dark tip.

Plant type

Grass

Size

2 - 4 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Red

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Containers

Sun

Partial Shade

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Site type

Spring-moist meadows and open places

Plant communities

Douglas-Fir Forest, North Coastal Coniferous Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 8 likely

Confirmed Likely

American Ear Moth

Amphipoea americana

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Olive Green Cutworm Moth

Dargida procinctus

Elachista cucullata