Scirpus diffusus
Encyclopedia
Scirpus diffusus is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family
known by the common name umbrella bulrush. It is endemic to California
, where it can be found in several of the high mountain ranges from the Klamath Mountains
to the Sierra Nevada. It grows in wetland
habitat and other moist areas, such as mountain meadows. It is similar to Scirpus congdonii
and was described from herbarium
specimens once mislabeled as such. It is a perennial herb forming a clump of erect stems growing up to a meter tall, solitary stems sometimes occurring as well. The stems are three-angled and narrow at the middle. Sheathing leaves occur at the stem bases as well as higher up the stems. The inflorescence
occurs at the end of the stem, with small additional ones growing from the uppermost leaf axil. The inflorescence consists of several clusters of many spikelets wrapped at the bases in a leaflike bract
.
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae are a family of monocotyledonous graminoid flowering plants known as sedges, which superficially resemble grasses or rushes. The family is large, with some 5,500 species described in about 109 genera. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group...
known by the common name umbrella bulrush. It is endemic to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it can be found in several of the high mountain ranges from the Klamath Mountains
Klamath Mountains
The Klamath Mountains, which include the Siskiyou, Marble, Scott, Trinity, Trinity Alps, Salmon, and northern Yolla-Bolly Mountains, are a rugged lightly populated mountain range in northwest California and southwest Oregon in the United States...
to the Sierra Nevada. It grows in wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
habitat and other moist areas, such as mountain meadows. It is similar to Scirpus congdonii
Scirpus congdonii
Scirpus congdonii is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family known by the common name Congdon's bulrush. It is native to the mountains and plateaus of far northern California and adjacent sections of southern Oregon and western Nevada. It can be found in wetland habitat and other moist...
and was described from herbarium
Herbarium
In botany, a herbarium – sometimes known by the Anglicized term herbar – is a collection of preserved plant specimens. These specimens may be whole plants or plant parts: these will usually be in a dried form, mounted on a sheet, but depending upon the material may also be kept in...
specimens once mislabeled as such. It is a perennial herb forming a clump of erect stems growing up to a meter tall, solitary stems sometimes occurring as well. The stems are three-angled and narrow at the middle. Sheathing leaves occur at the stem bases as well as higher up the stems. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
occurs at the end of the stem, with small additional ones growing from the uppermost leaf axil. The inflorescence consists of several clusters of many spikelets wrapped at the bases in a leaflike bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
.