Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Carex spectabilis is a species of sedge known by the common name showy sedge. It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Utah, where it grows in moist mountain habitat in subalpine to alpine climates. This sedge produces clusters of stems 50 to 90 centimeters in maximum height, sometimes from rhizomes. The flower cluster is an erect to heavily nodding cluster of flowers covered in dark purplish scales. The fruit is coated in a perigynium which is pale yellowish to dark purple to black.

Plant type

Grass

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Purple

Special uses

Containers

Sun

Partial Shade

Ease of care

Moderate

Site type

Wet places

Plant communities

Alpine Fell-Fields, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 6 likely

Confirmed Likely

Chryxus Arctic

Oeneis chryxus

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Olive Green Cutworm Moth

Dargida procinctus

Dun Skipper

Euphyes vestris