Photo © Joe Duft CLICK PHOTO FOR A LARGER IMAGE

Scheuchzeria palustris L.

Pod Grass

Scheuchzeriaceae (Scheuchzeria family)

General Description: Pod grass is a trailing, strongly rhizomatous rush-like plant, 20-40 cm tall. Each erect stem has 3 or 4 linear, stiff, alternate leaves that are gradually reduced upward and arranged in a 2-ranked fashion. Leaves are round in cross-section, and broadly sheathing at the base with a prominent ligule 2-10 mm long at the juncture of the sheath and blade. The inflorescence is a few- to several-flowered raceme. The obscure flowers produce three compressed fruits arranged in a spreading, triangular cluster.

Illustration.

Field Identification Tips: The entire plant has a greenish-brown appearance. The broadly sheathing leaf bases and prominent ligule help distinguish this species.

Phenology: Flowers in May and June, but can be identified in the field throughout the summer.

Similar Species: Possible to confuse with sedge (Carex) or rush (Juncus) species until closer examination reveals many differences, most notably in the fruits. It could also be confused with an arrow-grass (Triglochin), which has mostly basal leaves and a different kind of fruit.

Photo © Robert Moseley CLICK PHOTO FOR A LARGER IMAGE

Habitat: In bogs, where it is usually associated with Sphagnum, or on lake margins, where often with Carex spp.

Global Distribution: Southern Alaska to Labrador and Newfoundland, south in British Columbia and Washington to northern California, and to Idaho, North Dakota, Indiana, Iowa, and New Jersey. It is also found in Eurasia.

Idaho Distribution: Known from Boundary, Bonner, and Kootenai counties in the Panhandle region. Also known from Valley County, and the Yellowstone National Park area.

References:

Bursik, R. J. 1992. Field investigations of sensitive plant taxa occurring on the Priest Lake Ranger District, Kanisku National Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Unpublished report prepared for the Panhandle National Forests by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise. 141 pp. plus appendices.

Caicco, S. L. 1987. Field investigations of selected sensitive plant species on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for the Panhandle National Forests by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise. 44 pp. plus appendices.

Cody, W. J. 1975. Scheuchzeria palustris L. (Scheuchzeriaceae) in northwestern North America. The Canadian Field-Naturalist 89: 69-71.

Moseley, R. K. 1989. Field investigations of 16 rare plant taxa occurring in wetlands on the Bonners Ferry Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for the Panhandle National Forests by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise. 75 pp. plus appendices.