Taxon Report
Schoenoplectiella saximontana (Fernald) LyeRocky Mountain bulrush |
 Steve Matson |
Taxon Summary
Schoenoplectiella saximontana, commonly known as Rocky Mountain bulrush, is a annual rhizomatous herb in the Cyperaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Marshes and swamps (margins), and Vernal pools, growing at elevations from 45 to 720 meters. Schoenoplectiella saximontana is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.Classification
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Scientific Name: |
Schoenoplectiella saximontana (Fernald) Lye |
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Common Name: |
Rocky Mountain bulrush |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Element Code: | PMCYP0Q1D0 |
| USDA Plants Symbol: | SCSA11 |
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Synonyms/Other Names: |
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Ecology and Life History
| Lifeform: | annual rhizomatous herb |
| Blooming Period: (Mar-May)Jun-Sep(Oct) | (Mar-May)Jun-Sep(Oct) |
| Elevation: | 45-720 (150-2360) |
| General Habitats: | Marshes and swamps, Vernal pools |
| Microhabitat: | Sandy (often) |
| Microhabitat Details: | Freshwater edges, ponds, and ditch margins. |
Conservation Status
| CA Rare Plant Rank: | 2B.1 |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
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State Rank: |
S2 |
| State List: | None |
| Fed List: | None |
| Other Status: | |
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CRPR Changes: |
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Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
| Total Occurrences: | 14 |
| Element Occurrence Ranks: | |
| Excellent (A) | 0 |
| Good (B) | 0 |
| Fair (C) | 0 |
| Poor (D) | 0 |
| None (X) | 2 |
| Unknown (U) | 12 |
| California Endemic: False | |
| California Counties and Islands: Name (Code) | |
| Quads: Name (Quad Code) | |
| Bachelor Mtn. (3311751), Creston (3512055), Fallbrook (3311743), Firebaugh (3612074), Forbestown (3912153), Los Molinos (4012211), Lost Hills NE (3511965), Matilija (3411943), Mint Canyon (3411844), Morro Hill (3311733), Pond (3511963), Rackerby (3912143), Simi (3411837), Wildomar (3311753) | |
Threat List Data from the CNDDB
| Threat List Total: | 5 | |
| EOs with Threat Listed: | Total EOs | % of EOs |
| 3 | 21 % | |
| Development | 2 | 14% |
| Other | 1 | 7% |
| Recreational use (non-ORV) | 1 | 7% |
| Agriculture | 1 | 7% |
| Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime | 1 | 7% |
Notes
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Threats: |
| Threatened by development, hydrological alterations, inundation, disking, equestrians, vehicles, and non-native plants. |
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Taxonomy: |
| Differs from Schoenoplectus s.l. taxa in California by its tufted habit with obscured rhizomes (vs. mat-forming with long rhizomes), height of less than 60 cm, cylindric stems (vs. 3-sided at least near inflorescences) less than or equal to 1.5 mm (vs. 2–10 mm) in diameter, unnotched flower bract tips, 1–20 spreading spikelets (vs. 1 erect spikelet), and fruits with sharp and wavy transverse ridges (vs. smooth fruits). |
Selected References
| Proposed addition to CRPR 2B.1, G4G5 / S2 (2024) |
| Rhodora 3(34): 251 (1901) |
| Lidia 6(1): 27 (2003) |
Citation
California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 9 May 2025].