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Share your observations of plants or non-game animals with the Natural Heritage Inventory.
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- Contact information
- For information on Wisconsin's rare plants, contact:
- Kevin Doyle
608-416-3377
Low Nutrush (Scleria verticillata)
Photo © Suzan Campbell
Life history
Species overview
Low Nutrush (Scleria verticillata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in calcareous fens. Blooming occurs late June through late July; fruiting occurs early July through early September. The optimal identification period for this species is early July through early September.
Synonyms: Hypoporum verticillatum, Scleria diffusa, S. tenuiflora, S. verticillata f. brevis, S. verticillata f. capillaris
Identification
- Distinguishing characteristics: Hypogynium flat, very low, unlobed.
- Flower characteristics: Inflorescence of 2 to 8 short, capitate cymes each 2 to 4 mm, sessile, subtended by inconspicuous bracts 4 to 7 mm, forming an erect interrupted spike; anthers 1mm.
- Fruit characteristics: Achene white, subglobose, 1 mm thick, conspicuously apiculate, verrucose or transversely ridged. Constricted below to a short smooth hypogynium.
- Leaf characteristics: Main blades 1 mm wide, often tufted. Sheaths usually long-villous.
Phenology
- Blooming phenology: late June through late July
- Fruiting phenology: early July through early September
- Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is early July through early September
Other
- Growth form: Graminoid
- Vegetative reproduction:
- Life cycle: Annual
- Comments: Associated Species: Thelypteris palustris, Lobelia kalmii, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Potentilla fruticosa, Rhynchospora capillacea, R. alba, Carex interior, Oxypolis rigidior, Cirsium muticum, Parnassia glauca, Juncus brachycephalus.
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 Low Nutrush (Scleria verticillata). 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 | S2 |
| 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 in calcareous fens.
- Soils: Wet, sandy, calcareous soils.
Natural communities
This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Low Nutrush. 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 |
|---|---|
| Calcareous Fen | 3 |
Ecological landscapes
This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Low Nutrush. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.
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.
- Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
- Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.
Management guidance
Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species
- Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.
- Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial (dependent on local site conditions).
- Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light; see forestry BMPs for invasive species.
- Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.
Other resources
Links to additional Low Nutrush 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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Scleria verticillata
Photo © Suzan Campbell.
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].
