PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Tufted Bulrush (Trichophorum cespitosum)

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Photo by Ryan O'Connor

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Tufted Bulrush (Trichophorum cespitosum), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in fens, sedge meadows, and wet swales of old beach ridges. Blooming occurs early-June through early-August, fruiting late-June through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through August.

Baeothryon cespitosum, Scirpus cespitosus, Trichophorum caespitosum

 
 
 

Tufted bulrush is a graminoid, 1-4dm tall, with very densely tufted stems that are smooth, roundish, and on a short, freely rooting rhizome. It has one brown, terminal spikelet, 4-6mm, several-flowered, with 2-3 empty scales at the base, often deciduous as the spikelet approaches full maturity. The lowest scale has a prominent, broad, blunt awn (1-3mm) that may shortly surpass the spikelet, anthers are 1.1-2.5mm. Its achenes are three-angled, brown, 1.5-1.7mm, with a small, slender point at the tip. It has several conspicuous, light brown scale-leaves at the base, a single, more normal leaf with a typical sheath but a slender blade, only 4-6mm, a little higher.

It is distinguished from similar species by its solitary spikelet, lack of a conspicuous, leaf-like bract subtending the spikelet, round stem, and cespitose habit.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs early-June through early-August, fruiting late-June through late-August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-June through August.

Associated species include Carex lanuginosa, C stricta, Betula pumila, Sarracenia purpurea, Calamagrostis canadensis, Cladium mariscoides, Drosera rotundifolia, Lobelia kalmii, Potentilla fruticosa, and Solidago ohioensis.

Tufted bulrush prefers wet, calcareous to acidic soils and is found in fens, sedge meadows, and wet swales of old beach ridges.

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.

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.

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

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.