Taxon Report

Schoenoplectus heterochaetus (Chase) Soják

slender bulrush

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Schoenoplectus heterochaetus, commonly known as slender bulrush, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Cyperaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Lower montane coniferous forest, and Marshes and swamps (lake margins), growing at elevations from 1600 to 1600 meters. Schoenoplectus heterochaetus is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Schoenoplectus heterochaetus (Chase) Soják
Common Name:	slender bulrush
Family:	Cyperaceae
Element Code:	PMCYP0Q0T0
USDA Plants Symbol:	SCHE5
Synonyms/Other Names:	Scirpus heterochaetus Chase

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Aug	Aug
Elevation:	1600-1600 (5250-5250)
General Habitats:	Lower montane coniferous forest, 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:	IUCN_LC
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2B.3 to 2B.1 on 2015-02-13 changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


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

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Tehama (TEH)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Childs Meadows (4012134)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	0
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	0	%

Notes



Known in CA only from Wilson Lake. On watch list in OR. See Rhodora 6:70 (1904) for original description, and Madroño 40(3):179 (1993) for first CA record.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Schoenoplectus heterochaetus profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2017)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 31 October 2025].