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- For information on Wisconsin's rare plants, contact:
- Kevin Doyle
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Slender Bulrush (Schoenoplectus heterochaetus)
Photo © USDA-NRCS
Life history
Species overview
Slender Bulrush (Schoenoplectus heterochaetus), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found along margins of freshwater lakes and streams. Fruiting occurs June through August. The optimal identification period for this species is late July through late August.
Synonyms: Scirpus heterochaetus, Scirpus lacustris, Scirpus lacustris ssp. lacustris var. tenuiculmis, Scirpus lacustris var. tenuiculmis, Scirpus tenuiculmis
Identification
- Distinguishing characteristics: Mainly with 3 carpels; spikelets mostly or all individually pedicellate.
- Flower characteristics: Inflorescence loose and lax, most or all of the spikelets individually pedicellate; spikes light to medium brown; flowers mostly with three carpels; styles 3-parted.
- Fruit characteristics: Achene unequally three-angled.
- Leaf characteristics: Few leaves, mainly or all towards the base, commonly with prominent, well developed sheath and short, poorly developed blade (or bladeless).
Phenology
- Blooming phenology:
- Fruiting phenology: June through August
- Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is late July through late August
Other
- Growth form: Graminoid
- Vegetative reproduction: Rhizomatous
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Comments: Associated Species: Scirpus sp., Naias flexilis, Ceratophyllum demersum.
State status
Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin
The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Slender Bulrush (Schoenoplectus heterochaetus). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.
| Summary Information | |
|---|---|
| State Status | SC |
| Federal Status in Wisconsin | none |
| State Rank | S1 |
| Global Rank | G5 |
| Tracked by NHI | Y |
Habitats and landscapes
The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.
General habitat information
- Habitat description: Found along margins of freshwater lakes and streams.
- Soils: Wet soils.
Natural communities
This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Slender Bulrush. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).
| Natural communities | score |
|---|---|
| Emergent Marsh | 3 |
Ecological landscapes
This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Slender Bulrush. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.
| Ecological landscape | score |
|---|---|
| Central Sand Hills | 2 |
| Forest Transition | 2 |
| Northwest Sands | 2 |
| Southeast Glacial Plains | 2 |
| Western Coulee and Ridges | 2 |
Species guidance
The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.
Avoidance measures
These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.
- No avoidance measures have been developed for this species.
Management guidance
Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species
- No guidance has been developed for this species.
Other resources
Links to additional Slender Bulrush information
Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)
- Wisconsin Flora
- NatureServe Explorer
- Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
- USDA - NRCS Plants Database
- USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
- eFloras
- Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
- Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
- Orchids of Wisconsin
Photos
Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use
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Specimen scanned by the Wisconsin Herbarium, Madison, WI.
Scanned specimen courtesy of Wisconsin Herbarium
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Specimen scanned by the Wisconsin Herbarium, Madison, WI.
Scanned specimen courtesy of Wisconsin Herbarium
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Photo © USDA-NRCS.
Support for Wisconsin's rare plant information has been provided by the Division of Forestry, the Endangered Resources Fund and the Wisconsin Rare Plant Preservation Fund. To donate, visit the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin [exit DNR].
