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Plant Profile

Navajo Sedge (Carex specuicola)

Two to four flower spikes are produced on each flowering stem. Photo Credit: Joyce Maschinski

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Threatened
Family: Cyperaceae
State: AZ, NN, UT
Nature Serve ID: 131813
Lifeform: Graminoid
Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/04/1991

Description:

Navajo sedge is found in seep-springs on vertical cliffs of red-pink Navajo sandstone (Arizona Ecological Field Services Office 2002). At first glance, this perennial sedge looks a lot like a grass, with 25-40 cm long, grass-like leaves growing in bunches. However, this plant is a sedge, not a grass, for a number of reasons. Rather than being round like a grass, the stems of a sedge are three-sided, or triangular. Flowers are concentrated in 2 to 4 groups clustered at the end of a long thin stalk, 2-3 times the length of the leaves, with female flowers situated above male flowers. Flowering and fruit set occur from spring to summer, but most of the reproduction appears to be vegetative. (USFWS 1985) Many of the plants grow at such great heights that the only way to reach them is by rappelling down cliff faces. Seep-springs on vertical cliffs of pink-red Navajo sandstone.

Where is Navajo Sedge (Carex specuicola) located in the wild?

Habitat:

The species grows only where water seeps out of vertical Navajo sandstone cliffs, usually in shady areas, at 5700 to 6000 ft in elevation.

Distribution:

The species grows on lands of the Navajo Indian Reservation, from the Navajo Creek drainage in Coconino Co, east to the Tsegi Canyon Watershed in Navajo Co, to the Rock Point/Mexican Water, Apache Co,

States & Provinces:

Navajo Sedge can be found in Arizona, Navajo Nation, Utah

Which CPC Partners conserve Navajo Sedge (Carex specuicola)?

The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Conservation Actions

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Endemic to the Navajo Nation, Coconino County, Arizona, and San Juan County, Utah. Limited to seep and spring habitats. Sheep grazing and groundwater pumping are threats.

Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

The restricted habitat of this species makes it very vulnerable to water diversion projects, groundwater pumping, and over-grazing of accessible sites. (USFWS 1985)

Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Several populations are known from the Navajo Nation in Coconino, Apache, Navajo and San Juan Counties. At the time of listing (USFWS 1985), it was estimated that the three known populations contained fewer than 700 plants.

Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

There is no current research.

Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

None known.

Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Collections from newly found populations are needed.