Schoenoplectus acutus var. occidentalis

(S. Watson) S. G. Smith

Novon 5: 97. 1995.

Common names: Common tule
Illustrated
Basionym: Scirpus lacustris var. occidentalis S. Watson Bot. California 2: 218. 1880
Synonyms: Scirpus acutus var. occidentalis (S. Watson) Beetle Scirpus rubiginosus Beetle
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 23. Treatment on page 49. Mentioned on page 48.

Culms dark to light green, 1–4 m × 4–12 mm, firm to soft, larger air cavities in distal 1/4, 1–2.5 mm wide. Leaves: sheath fronts mostly delicately pinnate-fibrillose. Inflorescences to 3 times branched, branches sometimes flexible and drooping. Spikelets 4–190, 6–24 × 4 mm. Flowers: perianth bristles (4–)6(–8), equaling to less than 1/2 achene body, rarely rudimentary; styles from 2-fid with few 3-fid at spikelet apex to mostly (or all) 3-fid. Achenes plano-convex or compressed obtusely trigonous.


Phenology: Fruiting (spring–)summer(–fall).
Habitat: Fresh, often calcareous to brackish marshes, fens, lakes, slow streams, often emergent in water to 1.5 m
Elevation: 0–2100 m

Distribution

V23 67-distribution-map.jpg

B.C., Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wyo., n Mexico.

Discussion

Schoenoplectus acutus var. occidentalis forms sterile hybrids with S. californicus in California (S. G. Smith 1995; see 1. S. tabernaemontani).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
S. Galen Smith +
(S. Watson) S. G. Smith +
Scirpus lacustris var. occidentalis +
Common tule +
B.C. +, Ariz. +, Calif. +, Colo. +, Idaho +, Mont. +, Nev. +, N.Mex. +, Oreg. +, Tex. +, Utah +, Wash. +, Wyo. +  and n Mexico. +
0–2100 m +
Fresh, often calcareous to brackish marshes, fens, lakes, slow streams, often emergent in water to 1.5 m +
Fruiting (spring–)summer(–fall). +
Illustrated +
Scirpus acutus var. occidentalis +  and Scirpus rubiginosus +
Schoenoplectus acutus var. occidentalis +
Schoenoplectus acutus +
variety +