Schoenoplectiella purshiana (Fernald) Lye var. purshiana

weak-stalked bulrush

Edges of pond, lakes, and large to medium sized rivers. Also known from fresh intertidal shores of the Hudson River. Smith (2002) states that this taxon grows in areas with relatively little water-level fluctuations but at least in NY it sometimes occurs in areas with large water fluctuations like along the tidal Hudson River.

Graminoid

Annual

Vascular

6

Schoenoplectiella purshiana var. williamsii is known from one site in Massachusetts and then further west of New York, so it may occur in New York. This taxon may be overlooked in NY since many sources do not recognize varieties of Schoenoplectiella purshiana and the distinctions between Schoenoplectiella smithii var. smithii and S. purshiana var. williamsii are subtle. Some previous authors have chosen to treat this taxon at the rank of form. As noted by Smith (2002), var. williamsii occurs in areas with greater water-fluctuation, and it may be a useful ecological indicator.

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Native OBL (NWPL EMP) OBL (NWPL NCNE) S3? (State Rank) G4G5T4T5 (Global Rank)

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