Scirpus congdonii
Congdon's bulrush
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Scirpus congdonii (Congdon's bulrush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by head-like inflorescence clusters and spreading rhizomes.
Congdon's bulrush is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and Modoc Plateau in meadows, marshes, lake shores, and streambanks at elevations of 700 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces spikelets in head-like clusters with flower bracts that are generally black with a green to straw-colored midrib. Growing with spreading stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall and 2 to 4 millimeters in diameter, it develops from a long rhizome with distinctively three-angled stems. Its leaves are relatively narrow, measuring 3 to 7 millimeters wide, and lack a ligule. The fruit is small, measuring 0.9 to 1.3 millimeters long and typically three-angled.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are head-like inflorescence clusters and spreading rhizomes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, marshes, lake shores, streambanks
Elevation: 700-2600 m
California counties: Nevada, Fresno, Mariposa, Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Butte, Mendocino, Shasta, Tehama, Madera, Placer, Amador, Lassen, Del Norte, Modoc
Outside California: southern Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Scirpus congdonii blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Cyperus: Scirpus has drooping branched clusters, Cyperus has flat umbrella-like bracts radiating from a central point.; vs Schoenoplectus: Scirpus clusters are openly branched and spreading, Schoenoplectus has dense compact clusters.; vs Carex: Scirpus has perfect flowers in branched clusters, Carex has separate male/female spikes.; vs Bolboschoenus: Scirpus lacks underground tubers entirely, Bolboschoenus has firm tubers.; vs Juncus: Scirpus has obvious flowers in spikelets, Juncus has tiny flowers with visible petals/sepals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scirpus congdonii native to California?
Yes. Scirpus congdonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Scirpus congdonii bloom?
Scirpus congdonii blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Scirpus congdonii grow?
Scirpus congdonii occurs in Nevada, Fresno, Mariposa, Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of 700-2600 m.
What plant family does Scirpus congdonii belong to?
Scirpus congdonii is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Scirpus.
What habitat does Scirpus congdonii grow in?
Scirpus congdonii grows in Meadows, marshes, lake shores, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.