Eleocharis torticulmis
California twisted spikerush
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Eleocharis torticulmis (California twisted spikerush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by key diagnostic feature is spirally twisted, contracted stems unique in the genus.
California twisted spikerush is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in wet meadow fens within mixed-conifer forest at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces small, delicate spikes with pale brown to green flowers. Growing with spirally twisted stems 20 to 40 millimeters tall that are flat and obliquely contracted near the tip, it forms dense stem tufts with a hard underground caudex. Its distal leaf sheaths are firm and persistent, with obtuse tips, and the plant develops distinctive three-sided fruits with a beak-like tip. The spikerush has a weak rhizome with terminal buds approximately 10 millimeters long and 5 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; key diagnostic feature is spirally twisted, contracted stems unique in the genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fen (wet meadow) in mixed-conifer forest
Elevation: < 1200 m
Bloom period
Eleocharis torticulmis blooms Summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Carex: Eleocharis has single spikelet with no bracts below, Carex has leafy bracts and multiple spikes.; vs Isolepis: Eleocharis has no bracts below spikelet, Isolepis has conspicuous leaf-like bracts extending beyond flowers.; vs Schoenoplectus: Eleocharis has single terminal spikelet, Schoenoplectus has multiple spikelets in clusters.; vs Juncus: Eleocharis spikelets are flattened oval, Juncus flowers are round with visible petals in clusters.; vs Equisetum: Eleocharis has grass-like stems with flower spikelets, Equisetum has jointed hollow stems with cone-like structures.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eleocharis torticulmis native to California?
Yes. Eleocharis torticulmis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eleocharis torticulmis bloom?
Eleocharis torticulmis blooms Summer.
What plant family does Eleocharis torticulmis belong to?
Eleocharis torticulmis is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Eleocharis.
Is Eleocharis torticulmis rare or endangered?
Eleocharis torticulmis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Eleocharis torticulmis grow in?
Eleocharis torticulmis grows in Fen (wet meadow) in mixed-conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eleocharis acicularis — Needle spikerush
- Eleocharis acicularis var. acicularis — Needle spike rush
- Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens — Needle spike rush
- Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis — Needle spike rush
- Eleocharis atropurpurea — Purple spikerush
- Eleocharis bella — Beautiful spikerush
- Eriophorum gracile — Slender cottongrass
- Eriophorum sp. — Cotton grass
- Fimbristylis autumnalis — Slender fimbry
- Fimbristylis sp.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.