Scirpus pendulus
Pendulous bulrush, Pendulous Bulrush
(c) Tom Scavo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Scirpus pendulus (Pendulous bulrush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by solitary drooping spikelets and cespitose habit.
Pendulous bulrush is a native perennial found in northern California Ranges near Yreka in marshes and wet meadows at elevations below 900 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces brown to red-brown spikelets with green midribs in delicate clusters. Growing as a dense, clustered sedge with short rhizomes and stems 50 to 100 centimeters tall, it has slender stems 0.6 to 3 millimeters in diameter. Its leaf blades are 4 to 8 millimeters wide, with distinctive curled perianth bristles that extend beyond the small fruit. The compact fruit is three-angled and measures 1 to 1.8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are solitary drooping spikelets and cespitose habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes, wet meadows
Elevation: < 900 m
California counties: Siskiyou
Outside California: southern Oregon, southeastern Canada, eastern United States, Mexico
Bloom period
Scirpus pendulus blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 pendulus native to California?
Yes. Scirpus pendulus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Scirpus pendulus bloom?
Scirpus pendulus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Scirpus pendulus grow?
Scirpus pendulus occurs in Siskiyou, at elevations of < 900 m.
What plant family does Scirpus pendulus belong to?
Scirpus pendulus is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Scirpus.
Is Scirpus pendulus rare or endangered?
Scirpus pendulus carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, 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.