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Hudson's Bay Bulrush - Trichophorum alpinum
Other Names:
Scirpus hudsonianus, Eriophorum alpinum
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Rare in Montana, where it is only known from a few sites in the northwest corner of the state.
General Description
Stems 3-angled, 10–40 cm, loosely clustered on short rhizomes. Leaf blades ca. 0.5 mm wide. Spikelet 5–7 mm long, many-flowered; awn of lowest bract inconspicuous, shorter than the spikelet. Scales 4–5 mm long, glabrous, brown with a pale midstripe; tips acute. Flowers: bristles 6, white, greatly exceeding the spikelet. Achene ca. 1.5 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Phenology
Mature fruit in July-August.
Diagnostic Characteristics
The solitary spikelet and tuft of long bristles make this species resemble a slender Eriophorum; however, species of true cottongrass have at least 10 bristles per achene. It differs from the other species of Scirpus with solitary infloresences in having bristles that are longer than the scale, and a 3-sided stem.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Circumboreal south to BC, MT. Known from Flathead and Glacier counties (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 25
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Wet, cold organic soil of fens and slopes in the montane and subalpine zones.
Ecological Systems Associated with this Species
Threats or Limiting Factors
STATE THREAT SCORE REASON
Reported threats to Montana's populations of Hudson’s Bay Bulrush refer to trampling by hikers and potential trail maintenance. All known populations are clustered in Glacier National Park, and some of these are crossed by a popular hiking trail. Minor negative impacts from annual hiking traffic are likely. Trail maintenance or expansion of trail system could have damaging impacts if the security of populations is not considered (MTNHP Threat Assessment 2021).
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?
Bursik, R. J. 1992. Field investigations of sensitive plant taxa occurring on the Priest Lake Ranger District, Kanisku National Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise. 141 pp. plus appendices.- Fassett, N. C. 1985. (3rd ed.) A Manual of Aquatic Plants, with Revision Appendix by E. C. Ogden. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 405 pp.
- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
- Maguire, B. 1939. Distrubution notes concerning plants of Glacier National Park, Montana-II. Rhodora 41:504-508.
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