Rhynchospora alba
White beaked-rush
(c) Grzegorz Grzejszczak, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Grzegorz Grzejszczak · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Rhynchospora alba (White beaked-rush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by . Key features: pale spikelets, 10-12 perianth bristles, narrow leaves.
White beaked-rush is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) native perennial found in northern coastal California, the Klamath Ranges, and northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains in boggy open sites at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pale brown to white spikelets with acute tips in delicate clusters. Growing with slender stems less than one millimeter in diameter, it has three sharp, slightly rough angles that become more scabrous near the inflorescence. Its narrow leaves are 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters wide with minutely rough margins that add textural interest to the plant. The fruit features distinctive white to brown perianth bristles that extend beyond the small tubercle, creating an intricate and delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species. Key features: pale spikelets, 10-12 perianth bristles, narrow leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Boggy open sites
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Sonoma, Mendocino, Plumas, Del Norte, Nevada, Trinity, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern Canada, eastern United States, Puerto Rico, Eurasia
Bloom period
Rhynchospora alba blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Fimbristylis: Rhynchospora seeds have prominent beaks on top, Fimbristylis seeds lack beaks.; vs Bulbostylis: Rhynchospora has multiple flower clusters along stem, Bulbostylis has single terminal cluster.; vs Bolboschoenus: Rhynchospora is delicate with stems under 2mm, Bolboschoenus is robust with thick three-angled stems.; vs Scirpus: Rhynchospora has few flowers per spikelet and beaked seeds, Scirpus has many flowers and unbeaked seeds.; vs Calliscirpus: Rhynchospora has small separate clusters, Calliscirpus has one tight congested ball.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhynchospora alba native to California?
Yes. Rhynchospora alba is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rhynchospora alba bloom?
Rhynchospora alba blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Rhynchospora alba grow?
Rhynchospora alba occurs in Sonoma, Mendocino, Plumas, Del Norte, Nevada, Trinity, Tuolumne, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Rhynchospora alba belong to?
Rhynchospora alba is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Rhynchospora.
Is Rhynchospora alba rare or endangered?
Rhynchospora alba carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.