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.