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Threadleaf Beakseed - Bulbostylis capillaris
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Native Species Global Rank :
G5
State Rank :
SU
(see State Rank Reason below)
C-value :
Agency Status USFWS :
USFS :
BLM :
External Links
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Bulbostylis capillaris is documented in Montana from a 1941 Carbon County collection made by W.E. Booth; Another much older, but undated "Yellowstone Valley" collection is also attributed to Montana (https://www.pnwherbaria.org/). However, the distribution of Bulbostylis capillaris includes eastern, mid-western, south-central, and California states of the U.S. (Kral Flora of North America [FNA] 2002). Plants have not been documented in our neighboring states (Kral Flora of North America [FNA] 2002; http://bonap.org/). It is possible that the Montana collection(s) is from an introduced population (Lesica et al. 2012) that has not persisted. In Montana the status of Bulbostylis capillaris is unrankable (SU) due to a lack of current information and scanty historical data.
General Description
PLANTS : Erect, tufted (cespitose) annuals that grow from 5-15 cm, but may reach 30 cm in other states. The bases are soft. Sources: Lesica et al. 2012; Kral in FNA 2002. LEAVES : Thread-like (filiform) leaves grow at the base or along the stem, about 0.5 mm wide and involute. Sheaths are ciliate at their upper end and their borders are tan. Ligules are absent. Backs of the leaves are prominently ribbed and glabrous. Sources: Lesica et al. 2012; Kral in FNA 2002.INFLORESCENCE : Terminal with several spikelets borne in an umbrella-like arrangement. A few leaf-like bracts occur below the inflorescence. Spikelets are red-brown, narrowly ovoid, 3-5 mm long with spirally arranged flowers. Sources: Lesica et al. 2012; Kral in FNA 2002.
Phenology
Plants fruit from summer to fall (Kral in FNA 2002).
Diagnostic Characteristics
A technical key is needed to differentiate members of the Sedge (Cyperaceae) Family:Bulbostylis capillaris Trichophorum Cyperus Lipocarpha
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Widespread but highly sporadic across much of North America; more common in the east and nearly entirely absent from Rocky Mountains and Great Basin regions (Kartesz 2009).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 2
(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
Prairie, sandy outcrops, and gravelly waste areas (Kral
in FNA 2002). In Montana Threadleaf Beakseed has been found on a sandy bench in the Valley zone (
https://www.pnwherbaria.org /).
Reproductive Characteristics
FLOWERS FRUITS
Stewardship Responsibility
Threats or Limiting Factors
Threats to Threadleaf Beakseed have not been identified in Montana.
References
Literature Cited AboveLegend:
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