Rhynchospora colorata (L.) H. Pfeiff.

Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge; Star Rush

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge is a native perennial in the Sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is found throughout Alabama. Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge grows on prairies, around shell mounds, on wet limestone outcrops, in interdunal swales, and on seeps. It is most often found on neutral or basic soils. It is a colonial perennial from a thin scaly rhizome. Stems are from 6-24 inches in height. Leaves are grass-like, linear, with entire margins. Stem leaves are smaller than basal leaves. Flowers are produced in a terminal head-like cluster of spikelets that overtop the leaves. The spikelets are subtended by 7-10 spreading or downward pointing involucral bracts. The bracts are bright white for about 1/3 of their length at the base. The ends of the bracts are narrowed to a point and bracts are green in color for over half their length. The fruit is an achene. Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge is a smaller and more colonial plant than Broadleaf Whitetop Sedge (Rhynchospora latifolia (Baldwin ex Elliott) Thomas). Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge is occasionally available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a moist soil in full sun. Narrowleaf Whitetop Sedge is listed as an S3 species in Alabama (typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state).--A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL) S3 (State Rank) G4G5 (Global Rank)

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