Taxon Report

Scheuchzeria palustris L.

American scheuchzeria

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Scheuchzeria palustris, commonly known as American scheuchzeria, is a perennial rhizomatous herb (emergent) in the Scheuchzeriaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Bogs and fens, and Marshes and swamps (lake margins), growing at elevations from 1370 to 2000 meters. Scheuchzeria palustris is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Scheuchzeria palustris L.
Common Name:	American scheuchzeria
Family:	Scheuchzeriaceae
Element Code:	PMSCH02010
USDA Plants Symbol:	SCPA2
Synonyms/Other Names:	Scheuchzeria palustris var. americana

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb (emergent)
Blooming Period: Jul-Aug	Jul-Aug
Elevation:	1370-2000 (4495-6560)
General Habitats:	Bogs and fens, Marshes and swamps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.1
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	USFS_S
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.1 to 2B.1 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	5
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	3
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	1
Unknown (U)	0

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Plumas (PLU)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Almanor (4012122)*, Mt. Harkness (4012143), Reading Peak (4012144), Red Cinder (4012142)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	6
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	80 %
Foot traffic/trampling	2	40%
Grazing	2	40%
Other	2	40%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	20%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime	1	20%
Dam/Inundation	1	20%

Notes



Rediscovered in 1988 by V. Oswald at Willow Lake. Need historical quads for SIE Co. Threatened by logging, foot traffic, trampling, and hydrological alteration. Threatened in ID, and endangered in OR. See Fremontia 20(4):19-20 (1992) for information on rediscovery in CA.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Scheuchzeria palustris account for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2023)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 6 November 2025].