Trichophorum pumilum

Little bulrush, Little Bulrush

Family: Cyperaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Little bulrush is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and White and Inyo Mountains in wet limestone sites at elevations of 3,100 to 3,250 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces small inconspicuous flowers. Growing in low, dense mats with slender stems 10 to 15 centimeters tall, it forms compact ground-covering clusters. Its leaves are narrow, with blades 2 to 13 millimeters long, creating delicate textural groundwork. The fruit is distinctively 2 to 3-sided, adding subtle geometric complexity to its alpine habitat.

Habitat: Wet sites, limestone soils

Bloom period: Summer

Elevation: 3100-3250 m

Bioregions: c SNH, W&ampI

California counties: Mono

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.