Trichophorum pumilum
(Vahl) Schinz & Thellung
Rolland's Leafless-bulrush
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.144925
Element CodePMCYP0Q250
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusTrichophorum
SynonymsScirpus pumilusVahl.Trichophorum pumilum var. rollandii(Fern.) Hultén
Other Common NamesRolland's bulrush (EN) Rolland's Bulrush (EN) Trichophore nain (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Taxonomic CommentsAccording to FNA (2002), "North American plants have been distinguished as Trichophorum pumilum var. rollandii (Fernald) Beetle; differences from the Eurasian plants are elusive. " Kartesz (1999) also included Trichophorum rollandii as a synonym of T. pumilum. Kartesz (1994) recognized Scirpus rollandii as a distinct species with 'pumilus' not listed in that checklist. As treated here, Trichophorum pumilum (=Scirpus pumilus) includes plants from Eurasia (see map in Hulten, Flora of Alaska, 1968) as well as those in North America previously treated as Scirpus rollandii.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-08-25
Change Date1997-10-23
Edition Date1996-06-26
Edition AuthorsW. Fertig/K. Maybury, 6/96; rev. B. MacBryde, 9/2000.
Rank ReasonsOccurs in widely scattered sites across most of Canada and in mountainous areas of the western United States (where it is probably a glacial relict). Most documented populations are in British Columbia, where it is considered to be rare, as it is in most or all of its remaining range. These plants are also treated as within the Eurasian Trichophorum pumilum (synonym Scirpus pusillus), or as a New World subspecies or variety of that species.
Range Extent CommentsCircumboreal, reaching southward to Alta., MT, WY, CO, and California (Kartesz 1999).
Ecology & Habitat
Description
Small Clubrush is a glabrous, grass-like perennial with loosely tufted, slender stems that are 5-12 cm high and arising from slender rhizomes that are clothed in the remains of dead culms and of persistent leaf bases. The leaves have slender blades that are 5-15 mm long above but consist only of sheaths near the base. A solitary globose spikelet, 2-3 mm long, of 3-5 flowers is borne on the stem tip and subtended by a brown, blunt-tipped bract. Each flower consists of a brown scale with thin, white margins subtending 3 stamens and an ovary. The scales fall as the ovaries mature into smooth, blackish achenes that are 1-2 mm long.
From CNHP Wetland Guide 2012: Growth Habit: loosely cespitose, rhizomes long and slender. Culms: grooved, terete, 5-14 cm, smooth.
Leaves: basal sheaths brown, distal leaf sheaths truncate to concave at mouth, blades 2-8.4 x 0.4-0.5 mm, much shorter than culms at flowering.
Spikelets: 3-6 floweerd, bracts shorter than spikelets, apex mucronate
Scales :brown, apex obtuse
Perianth Bristles: absent
Flowers:
Achenes: compressed trigonous to plan-convex, 1.4-1.9 x 0.8-1.2 mm.
Diagnostic Characteristics
After mid-summer, this species looks like a tiny stick with a few little black eggs glued on top. It is most likely confused with species of Eleocharis, but in these species, the base of the style is enlarged, and the scales are persistent. Scirpus cespitosus is a larger plant that forms distinctive tussocks. A hand lens will be necessary for positive identification.
From CNHP Wetland Guide 2012: Main Characteristics:
·Looks similar to spike rush, but no stylopodium and has leaves
·
Habitat
Calcareous ledges, gravels, shores, seepage areas, mires and bogs.
Palustrine HabitatsBog/fenRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN4
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Quebec | S3 | Yes |
| Alberta | S3 | Yes |
| Northwest Territories | S4 | Yes |
| Yukon Territory | S2 | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | S1 | Yes |
| British Columbia | S4 | Yes |
United StatesNNR
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Montana | S3 | Yes |
| Wyoming | S2 | Yes |
| California | S1 | Yes |
| Alaska | S1 | Yes |
| Idaho | S1 | Yes |
| Colorado | S2 | Yes |
Roadless Areas (1)
Washington (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Mt. Baker West | Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest | 25,390 |
References (6)
- Beetle, A.A. 1941. Studies in the genus Scirpus L. II. The section Baeothyron Ehrh. American J. Botany 28(6): 469-476.
- Fernald, M. L. 1950. Gray's manual of botany. 8th edition. Corrected printing (1970). D. Van Nostrand Company, New York. 1632 pp.
- Fertig, W., C. Refsdal, and J. Whipple. 1994. Wyoming rare plant field guide. Wyoming Rare Plant Technical Committee, Cheyenne. No pagination.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2002b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 23. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Cyperaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 608 pp.
- Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
- Scoggan, H.J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada: Parts 1-4. National Museums Canada, Ottawa. 1711 pp.