About Carex rupestris All.
Carex rupestris All. is a species of sedge that grows 10 to 20 centimetres (4 to 8 inches) tall. It forms dense, matted tufts. Its branching rhizomes reach lengths of 0.4 to 5.0 centimetres (0.2 to 2.0 inches). Aerial shoots grow upward from the rhizome, and dead leaves persist on the plant for several years, giving whole stands a characteristic straw-yellow colour that is visible from a distance. Leaves grow at the base of the stem, are channelled, and reach a maximum width of 2 millimetres (0.08 inches). The inflorescence consists of a single spike located at the top of the stem. Rhizomes are brown or black and have a scaly texture. This species fruits from late spring through summer. Carex rupestris is an arctic-alpine species that occurs at higher altitudes. It grows best on dry ground, and is commonly found in heathland, on talus slopes, and on rocky outcrops and ledges. The subspecies Carex rupestris subsp. altimontana occurs only in the Altai Republic of Russia.
