Cladium californicum

California sawgrass

Family: Cyperaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

California sawgrass is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in southern California Coast Ranges, southern California, western Transverse Ranges, and desert regions in alkaline marshes and swamps at elevations up to 2,150 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces small brown fruits in dense clusters atop stout stems. Growing up to 2 meters tall with thick stems 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter, it spreads through underground rhizomes less than 20 centimeters long. Its long leaves measure 1 to 2 meters in length, are 5 to 10 millimeters wide, and feature distinctively saw-toothed margins that give the plant its "sawgrass" name. In marshy environments, its robust form creates dense stands that provide critical habitat for wetland ecosystems.

Habitat: Generally alkaline marshes, swamps

Bloom period: Jun-Sep

Elevation: 2150 m

Bioregions: s CCo, SCoRO, SCo, WTR, D

California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.