Ruppia sp.
Ditch-grass, Ditch-Grass
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Family: Ruppiaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Ruppia sp. (Ditch-grass) is a native California perennial in the Ruppiaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Zannichellia: Ruppia has umbrella-like fruit clusters on long stalks; Zannichellia has fruits sessile in leaf axils.; vs Stuckenia: Ruppia fruits are on long thread-like stalks in umbels; Stuckenia has fruits in dense spikes.; vs Sparganium: Ruppia has thread-like leaves and umbel fruit clusters; Sparganium has stiff leaves and spherical bur-like heads.; vs Myriophyllum: Ruppia has simple ribbon-like leaves; Myriophyllum has feathery divided leaves in whorls.; vs Najas: Ruppia has smooth-edged leaves; Najas has toothed leaf margins.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ruppia sp. native to California?
Yes. Ruppia sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Ruppia sp. belong to?
Ruppia sp. is in the Ruppiaceae family, genus Ruppia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.