Carex spectabilis

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.