Calliscirpus criniger
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Calliscirpus criniger is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by No sympatric species - geographically isolated to NW bioregion.
Calliscirpus criniger is a California native perennial found in northwestern California in wet meadows, streambanks, and seepage slopes, particularly on serpentine landscapes at elevations of 200 to 2,250 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces delicate spikelets 5 to 15 millimeters long with subtle flower bracts. Growing 20 to 100 centimeters tall with slender, clustered stems, it develops distinctive perianth bristles 4.5 to 9 millimeters long covered in dense, long barbs. Its leaves are narrow and elongated, measuring 4 to 45 centimeters in length and just 1 to 6 millimeters wide. In wet serpentine environments, this grass-like perennial creates intricate clusters of fine, bristly flowering structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: No sympatric species - geographically isolated to NW bioregion
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, streambanks, seepage slopes; generally on serpentine
Elevation: 200-2250 m
California counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Tulare, Mendocino, Shasta, Trinity
Outside California: southwest Oregon
Bloom period
Calliscirpus criniger blooms Jun-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 criniger native to California?
Yes. Calliscirpus criniger is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calliscirpus criniger bloom?
Calliscirpus criniger blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Calliscirpus criniger grow?
Calliscirpus criniger occurs in Del Norte, Siskiyou, Tulare, Mendocino, Shasta, Trinity, at elevations of 200-2250 m.
What plant family does Calliscirpus criniger belong to?
Calliscirpus criniger is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Calliscirpus.
What habitat does Calliscirpus criniger grow in?
Calliscirpus criniger grows in Wet meadows, streambanks, seepage slopes; generally on serpentine.
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.