At CEC, the Ecological Sciences team is always hard at work in the field, monitoring invasive plants, performing habitat assessments, and surveying rare, threatened, and endangered species. One recent breakthrough showcases the dedication and expertise of our botanists, Kyle Filicky, PWS, and Alexandrea Casile, who documented an exciting discovery: a new county record for Barborpoll Bulrush (Scirpus microcarpus) in West Virginia.
What is Scirpus microcarpus?
Scirpus microcarpus, commonly known as Barborpoll Bulrush, is a species typically found along the West Coast, extending as far north as Washington and south to Arizona. While this species is not unusual on the West Coast, its presence on the East Coast is far less common. Thanks to the sharp eyes and botanical expertise of Kyle and Alex, this species’ range has now been expanded eastward by approximately 80 miles, marking the southernmost population of the plant on the East Coast.
The Barborpoll Bulrush is a striking plant that can be identified by several distinguishing features:
• Alternating purple-red sheath (surrounding the stem)
• Inflorescence (cluster of flowers) with divergent branches
• Greenish to dark brown spikelets with 2-parted styles (reproductive organ)
These characteristics are essential for plant identification in the field, helping botanists like Kyle and Alex confirm the presence of this rare species.
The Discovery
“We document every single plant species that occurs within the project area or boundary,” Kyle explains. “Finding Scirpus microcarpus was a great moment for us because it adds to our understanding of plant biodiversity in the area.”
Kyle, a Project Manager, and Alex, a Project Scientist, were conducting a botanical survey for Virginia Spiraea (Spiraea virginiana), a species listed as threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. As part of their work, they document every plant species within their survey area. During this survey, they identified a population of Scirpus microcarpus, an exciting find that extends the known range of this plant in the region.
The Significance of the Find
This discovery holds significant ecological value. The species is considered imperiled (S2) in West Virginia, according to NatureServe and West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Kyle adds, “This discovery pushes the southern boundary of Scirpus microcarpus on the East Coast, expanding its known range and helping to monitor the plant’s presence in the state.”
The Process: From Field to Herbarium
After documenting the plant during the botanical survey, Alex took detailed photographs of the Scirpus microcarpus and collected a full specimen — from flower tip to root. This specimen was carefully placed in a plant press, a common procedure used to preserve plant samples for identification and study.
“We wrap the plant in newspaper or paper towels to preserve all the identifiable features and then, tightly strap the press down to allow the plant to then dry, to be mounted as a voucher in the herbarium. If we find any additional rare, threatened, or endangered specimens during our survey, we collect and press them as well,” Alex explains.
These specimens are taken to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Section of Botany herbarium, where it undergoes final identification and preservation. Once confirmed, the discovery is officially recorded, and Scirpus microcarpus will be listed as a newly documented species in the area, with Kyle’s and Alex’s names forever attached to its discovery.
A Lasting Legacy
Thanks to the meticulous work of Kyle and Alex, the new county record of Scirpus microcarpus will be preserved for future generations of botanists and ecologists to study.
This discovery is just one example of the important work that CEC’s Ecological Sciences team is doing every day to protect and document the natural world. It’s a testament to the passion and expertise that our team brings to every project, and we look forward to more exciting finds in the future.
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