PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Brook Grass (Catabrosa aquatica)

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Photo by Wisconsin Herbarium

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Brook Grass (Catabrosa aquatica), a Wisconsin Endangered plant, is found in cold springy, sandy areas and in shallow water or mud of streambanks. Blooming occurs throughout July, fruiting throughout August. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout July.

Catabrosa aquatica var. aquatica, Catabrosa aquatica var. uniflora

 
 
 
Identification

Brook grass is an emergent aquatic graminoid, 10-70cm tall, that is loosely clumped or sprawling with thick, weak stems that are often horizontal, branching and rooting at nodes in mud or water. Its inflorescence is an open, pyramid-shaped or oblong panicle 10-20cm long, erect, yellow-brown, branches spreading in somewhat distant whorls. Spikelets are mostly two-flowered or sometimes one-flowered, the second floret, when present is well above the glumes, pedicels are short. Glumes are unequal shorter than the spikelet, the first glume smaller, 1-2mm long, the second glume is ragged at tip. Lemma smooth, 3 veins parallel to the ragged summit, 2-3mm long. Palea similar to lemma. Leaf blades are flat, soft, mostly 10-15cm long and 3-10mm wide, ligule 1-4mm long.

Its loosely clumped or sprawling, creeping bases, rooting at nodes, open pyramid-shaped panicle inflorescense, two-flowered spikelets, unequal glumes, shorter than the spikelet, smooth lemma with 3 veins parallel to the ragged summit are distinguishing characteristics.

Phenology and Reproduction

Blooming occurs throughout July, fruiting throughout August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout July.

Habitat

Brook grass prefers wet, sandy soils and is found in cold springy, sandy areas and in shallow water or mud of stream banks.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

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 and use care with spot spraying.

Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

This species is likely sensitive to water quality. Following BMPs around streams and buffering associated drainages will reduce eutrophication and prevent water quality degradation.

Wildlife Action Plan

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.

For more information, contact

Kevin Doyle
Conservation Biologist
tel:+1-608-416-3377