Schoenus purpurascens is a species of sedge endemic to the mountains of the southwestern part of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, with its distribution centered around the Caledon area.

[1] Schoenus purpurascens also has non-channelled leaf blades that often appear flat and ovate spikelets with relatively short mucros.

It appears that part of this problem is caused by the tendency of the southern African Schoenus to form hybrids with each other.

[1] Southern African Schoenus were once classified as Tetraria; however, based on molecular and morphological differences, we now know that the two groups are evolutionary distinct.

[5] Schoenus purpurascens has a relatively narrow distribution, centered on the Caledon region of the southwestern part of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.