Carex phaeocephala is a species of sedge known by the common name dunhead sedge. It is native to much of western North America, from Alaska to California to New Mexico, where it grows in high elevation habitat, including areas of alpine climate, generally in rocky soils. This sedge produces dense clumps of stems up to about 45 centimeters in maximum height with several narrow, channeled leaves up to about 20 centimeters long. The dense or open flower cluster contains several spikes of flowers. Female flowers have scales which are greenish or brown-orange with narrow pale edges. The perigynium covering the fruit has a dark center and greenish margins.