Carex tricephala is a species in the genus "Carex", family Cyperaceae. It is one of only about seven species in "Carex" sect. "Scabrellae". Members of this section have leaf-like bracts, and small spicate inflorescences. "Carex tricephala" is native to Southeast Asia, reported from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Chinese province of Yunnan.
The creatures do not require vegetation to survive in the summer but must have it during the winter to maintain their bracts 