Threadleaf sedge, sometimes called niffgerwool, hair sedge, and 

 shorthair sedge, is a small grasslike plant of the sedge family 

 (Cyperaceae). The name shorthair sedge is perhaps preferably 

 applied to the closely related Pacific species, C. exserta. The specific 

 name filifolia refers to the fine, threadlike leaves characteristic of 

 this plant. This sedge has a wide range from Yukon Territory to 

 Saskatchewan, Texas, and California. It is found at elevations of 

 from 3,000 feet up to nearly 12,000 feet and is typically a dryland 

 sedge, occurring in great abundance on the dry soils of open prairies 

 and rolling grasslands. On its favorite sites this plant occasionally 

 forms almost pure stands, but usually is intermixed thoroughly with 

 a variety of grasses. In the mountains this sedge is seen most com- 

 monly on dry open ridges, but it also occurs in open timber types 

 and, at the higher elevations, sometimes grows in rather moist 

 meadows. Threadleaf sedge is common on the east slopes of the 

 ponderosa pine type of California, growing on the open, rather dry 

 sandy flats, and in. the gently rolling, open forest. The Oregon 

 ground squirrel (Citellus oregorms] builds its furrows in north- 

 eastern California in the threadleaf sedge stands on sandy flats. 



Threadleaf sedge not only withstands grazing well but is also con- 

 siderably drought-resistant. In portions of the western Great Plains 

 this sedge is considered invaluable in the prevention of erosion, 

 especially wind erosion. Its many, black, fibrous roots are very 

 tough and wiry and form a heavy sod which is highly resistant to 

 heavy trampling. Even after the individual plants die their roots 

 remain intact for many years and continue to hold the soil against 

 the onslaughts of destructive run-off. 



In general, the forage value of this sedge on the mountain ranges 

 in the West varies from, fair to fairly good for sheep, cattle, and 

 horses, often being somewhat more valuable for sheep. Threadleaf 

 sedge, shorthair sedge, and Brewer reedgrass (C alamagrostis 

 breweri] compose the famous shorthair range of the high Sierra 

 Nevada Mountains in California. On some of the dry open grass- 

 land ranges threadleaf sedge takes position as one of the best sedges, 

 being of particular value early in the season, and at that time rates 

 in palatability from good to very good for sheep, cattle, and horses. 



Shorthair sedge (C. eaaser'ta) is very difficult to distinguish from 

 threadleaf sedge, and for all practical range purposes it is not neces- 

 sary to separate the two. Shorthair sedge has a somewhat limited 

 range, occurring only in southern Oregon and California. It grows 

 on the same or similar sites as threadleaf sedge and is of equal 

 palatability. 



