Rhynchospora californica
California beaked-rush
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Rhynchospora californica (California beaked-rush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by . Key features: wrinkled fruit, wide fruit base, ascending barbs, low elevation.
California beaked-rush is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges (Sonoma County), northern Sierra Nevada foothills (Butte County), and central Coast Ranges (Marin County) in marshes and seeps at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces brown spikelets with delicate white-tipped perianth bristles approximately 4 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems and narrow leaf blades 2 to 3 millimeters wide, it forms dense clusters in wet habitats. Its leaves are thin and grass-like, with spikelets featuring bristles that generally extend beyond the small tubercle at the fruit's tip. The fruit is approximately 3 millimeters long, with a wrinkled surface and a wide, stalk-like base topped by a small tubercle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species. Key features: wrinkled fruit, wide fruit base, ascending barbs, low elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes, seeps
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Sonoma, Butte, Marin, Nevada, Napa, Plumas
Bloom period
Rhynchospora californica blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 californica native to California?
Yes. Rhynchospora californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rhynchospora californica bloom?
Rhynchospora californica blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Rhynchospora californica grow?
Rhynchospora californica occurs in Sonoma, Butte, Marin, Nevada, Napa, Plumas, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Rhynchospora californica belong to?
Rhynchospora californica is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Rhynchospora.
Is Rhynchospora californica rare or endangered?
Rhynchospora californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.