Taxon Report

Cladium californicum (S. Watson) O'Neil

California saw-grass

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Taxon Summary

Cladium californicum, commonly known as California saw-grass, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Cyperaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Marshes and swamps (alkaline, freshwater), and Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 60 to 1600 meters. Cladium californicum is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Cladium californicum (S. Watson) O'Neil
Common Name:
 California saw-grass
Family: Cyperaceae
Element Code: PMCYP04010
USDA Plants Symbol: CLCA2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Sep Jun-Sep
Elevation: 60-1600 (195-5250)
General Habitats: Marshes and swamps, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G4
State Rank:
 S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status: SB_CalBG/RSABG; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12
  • changed from 2 to 2.2 on 2006-09-07
  • added to 2 on 2006-08-17

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 15
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 3
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 2
   Unknown (U) 10

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY), Los Angeles (LAX)*, Riverside (RIV), San Bernardino (SBD), San Luis Obispo (SLO), Santa Barbara (SBA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Azusa (3411728), Durmid (3311547), Furnace Creek (3611647), Guasti (3411715)?*, Los Alamos (3412063), Mt. Wilson (3411821)*, Nevares Peak (3611657), Oceano (3512015), Ontario (3411716), Orcutt (3412074), Orocopia Canyon (3311557), Sisquoc (3412073), Tecopa (3511672), Telescope Peak (3611721), Ubehebe Crater (3711714), Waucoba Canyon (3611788)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 7
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
5 33 %
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 3 20%
Development 2 13%
Grazing 1 6%
Groundwater pumping 1 6%
Non-native plant impacts 1 6%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 6%
Surface water diversion 1 6%

Notes
See Botany of California 2: 224 (1880) for original description and Flora of North America 23:242 (2000) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:
Potentially threatened by land use management conflicts at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2006-08-17
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 7 November 2025].