Calliscirpus brachythrix
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Calliscirpus brachythrix is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by No sympatric species - geographically isolated to SNH bioregion.
Calliscirpus brachythrix is a California native perennial sedge found in the Sierra Nevada in wet meadows, streambanks, and seepage slopes at elevations of 1,250 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small spikelets 5 to 14 millimeters long with delicate flower bracts. Growing 20 to 85 centimeters tall with slender, clustered stems, it forms dense tufts in moist mountain habitats. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, measuring 1 to 5 millimeters wide and extending up to 85 centimeters in length. The plant features distinctive perianth bristles 4 to 10 millimeters long with short, sparse barbs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species - geographically isolated to SNH bioregion
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, streambanks, seepage slopes, generally on acidic substrates
Elevation: 1250-3600 m
Bloom period
Calliscirpus brachythrix blooms July-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Fimbristylis: Calliscirpus has prominent bristles much longer than seeds, Fimbristylis bristles absent or very short.; vs Bulbostylis: Calliscirpus has showy cotton-like bristles, Bulbostylis completely lacks bristles.; vs Bolboschoenus: Calliscirpus has tight ball-like cluster with long bristles, Bolboschoenus has multiple separate spikelets.; vs Scirpus: Calliscirpus forms one tight congested head, Scirpus has openly branched drooping clusters.; vs Eriophorum: Calliscirpus has three-angled stems, Eriophorum stems are round in cross-section.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calliscirpus brachythrix native to California?
Yes. Calliscirpus brachythrix is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calliscirpus brachythrix bloom?
Calliscirpus brachythrix blooms July-Aug.
What plant family does Calliscirpus brachythrix belong to?
Calliscirpus brachythrix is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Calliscirpus.
What habitat does Calliscirpus brachythrix grow in?
Calliscirpus brachythrix grows in Wet meadows, streambanks, seepage slopes, generally on acidic substrates.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.