PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Low Nutrush (Scleria verticillata)

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Photo by Suzan Campbell

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Low Nutrush (Scleria verticillata), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in calcareous fens. Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting early-July through early-September. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through early-September.

 
 
 

Low nutrush is a graminoid, 2-6dm tall, with very slender stems and smooth, lanceolate, keeled scales. It has an inflorescence of 2-8 short, capitate cymes each 2-4 mm, sessile, subtended by inconspicuous 4-7mm bracts, forming an erect interrupted spike, anthers are 1mm. Achenes are white, subglobose, 1mm thick, conspicuously apiculate, and verrucose or transversely ridged. Constricted below to a short smooth hypogynium. Its main blades are 1mm wide and often tufted. Sheaths are usually long-villous.

Its flat, very low, unlobed hypogynium distinguishes it from similar species.

Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting early-July through early-September.

Annual. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through early-September.

Associated species include Thelypteris palustris, Lobelia kalmii, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Potentilla fruticosa, Rhynchospora capillacea, R alba, Carex interior, Oxypolis rigidior, Cirsium muticum, Parnassia glauca, and Juncus brachycephalus.

Low nutrush prefers wet, sandy, calcareous soils and is found in calcareous fens.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Because this plant is an annual, work may safely be conducted before the plants emerge or after they have developed mature seeds.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

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.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.