Herbaceous Plants
Herbaceous plants, such as grasses and wildflowers, do not produce woody tissue, are green and leaf-like in appearance or texture, and generally die back at the end of each growing season. Fourteen of the 39 habitats found in the Tulare Basin are dominated by herbaceous plants; 10 feature wetlands, three are found in upland areas, and one is found in either upland or wetland conditions. Grasses dominate seven habitats; six feature wetland reeds, tules, and sedges; and one habitat hosts floating plants.
Alkali Meadow
Found on fine-textured soils, this seasonal wetland habitat contains subsurface moisture throughout the year. Dominant plants include: sedges (Carex spp.), rushes (Juncus spp.), alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), alkali heath (Frankenia salina), iodine bush (Allenrolfea occidentalis), and yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica). Plants grow less than one meter high in dense to open stands of perennial shrubs, grasses, and forbs. The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) does not track this habitat.
This is a rare habitat in the Tulare Basin, with examples found along the Kings River, Fresno Slough, Kaweah River, and Deer Creek; Kaweah Oaks Preserve features an excellent stand. While little is known about restoring this habitat, there is high restoration potential for areas adjacent to canals and recharge basins.
Found on fine-textured soils, this seasonal wetland habitat contains subsurface moisture throughout the year. Dominant plants include: sedges (Carex spp.), rushes (Juncus spp.), alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), alkali heath (Frankenia salina), iodine bush (Allenrolfea occidentalis), and yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica). Plants grow less than one meter high in dense to open stands of perennial shrubs, grasses, and forbs. The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) does not track this habitat.
This is a rare habitat in the Tulare Basin, with examples found along the Kings River, Fresno Slough, Kaweah River, and Deer Creek; Kaweah Oaks Preserve features an excellent stand. While little is known about restoring this habitat, there is high restoration potential for areas adjacent to canals and recharge basins.
Alkali Sacaton Series
This wetland habitat, intermittently flooded and saturated by alkaline water, hosts a variety of native plants, including: alkali sacaton, creeping wildrye (Leymus triticoides), bush seepweed (Suaeda moquinii), saltgrass , Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), and iodine bush. Non-native annual grasses are also found here. Grasses grow less than one meter high. The CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as alkali sacaton grassland.
Historically, this was a wide spread habitat in this region. Seed given to Jedediah Smith's party by the Yokuts Indians in 1726 is believed to have been predominantly alkali sacaton and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides). Today, little is known about this unique habitat. Conservation strategies to protect and restore the alkali sacaton series will enable the plants and animals that live there to survive.
This wetland habitat, intermittently flooded and saturated by alkaline water, hosts a variety of native plants, including: alkali sacaton, creeping wildrye (Leymus triticoides), bush seepweed (Suaeda moquinii), saltgrass , Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), and iodine bush. Non-native annual grasses are also found here. Grasses grow less than one meter high. The CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as alkali sacaton grassland.
Historically, this was a wide spread habitat in this region. Seed given to Jedediah Smith's party by the Yokuts Indians in 1726 is believed to have been predominantly alkali sacaton and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides). Today, little is known about this unique habitat. Conservation strategies to protect and restore the alkali sacaton series will enable the plants and animals that live there to survive.
Bulrush Series
This wetland habitat, permanently or seasonally flooded with fresh to hypersaline water, is found on ditch banks, sloughs, lakes, and ponds. Dominant plants include: broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), California bulrush (Scirpus californicus), common three-square (Scirpus americanus), common tule (Scirpus acutus), saltgrass, saltmarsh bulrush (Scripus maritimus), and umbrella flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis). Plants grow less than four meters high. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as bulrush wetland.
Once found across the Tulare Basin, this habitat is now confined to a few scattered locations. Lessons learned at restoration sites on public land provide a solid understanding about how to apply successful restoration techniques to this relatively easy to restore habitat.
This wetland habitat, permanently or seasonally flooded with fresh to hypersaline water, is found on ditch banks, sloughs, lakes, and ponds. Dominant plants include: broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), California bulrush (Scirpus californicus), common three-square (Scirpus americanus), common tule (Scirpus acutus), saltgrass, saltmarsh bulrush (Scripus maritimus), and umbrella flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis). Plants grow less than four meters high. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as bulrush wetland.
Once found across the Tulare Basin, this habitat is now confined to a few scattered locations. Lessons learned at restoration sites on public land provide a solid understanding about how to apply successful restoration techniques to this relatively easy to restore habitat.
Bulrush-Cattail Series
Found on ditch banks, sloughs, lakes, and ponds, fresh to hypersaline water permanently or seasonally floods this wetland habitat. Dominant plants grow less than four meters high and include: broadleaf cattail, narrowleaf cattail, California bulrush, common three-square, common tule, saltgrass, saltmarsh bulrush, and umbrella flatsedge. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as brackish bulrush-cattail wetland.
Once found across the Tulare Basin, this habitat is now confined to a few scattered locations. Restoration techniques are well understood for this relatively easy to restore habitat.
Found on ditch banks, sloughs, lakes, and ponds, fresh to hypersaline water permanently or seasonally floods this wetland habitat. Dominant plants grow less than four meters high and include: broadleaf cattail, narrowleaf cattail, California bulrush, common three-square, common tule, saltgrass, saltmarsh bulrush, and umbrella flatsedge. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as brackish bulrush-cattail wetland.
Once found across the Tulare Basin, this habitat is now confined to a few scattered locations. Restoration techniques are well understood for this relatively easy to restore habitat.
California Annual Grassland Series
This upland habitat, found in all topographic locations, features both native and non-native annual grasses and herbs, including: ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), foxtail chess (Bromus madritensis), soft chess (Bromus hordeaceus), slender oats (Avena barbata), wild oats (Avena fatua), rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta), California goldfields (Lasthenia californica), longbeak storksbill (Erodium botrys), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and purple owls-clover (Castilleja exserta). Grasses grow less than one meter high, with a continuous to open canopy. CNDDB does not track this habitat.
This habitat covers much of the unfarmed area in the Tulare Basin. Its condition varies from field to field, with some hosting substantial native vegetation and others with almost no native vegetation. Through restoration, the California annual grassland series is relatively easy to re-establish. In addition, livestock grazing and prescribed burning treatments can improve degraded habitat for federally endangered animals, such as blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica).
This upland habitat, found in all topographic locations, features both native and non-native annual grasses and herbs, including: ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), foxtail chess (Bromus madritensis), soft chess (Bromus hordeaceus), slender oats (Avena barbata), wild oats (Avena fatua), rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta), California goldfields (Lasthenia californica), longbeak storksbill (Erodium botrys), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and purple owls-clover (Castilleja exserta). Grasses grow less than one meter high, with a continuous to open canopy. CNDDB does not track this habitat.
This habitat covers much of the unfarmed area in the Tulare Basin. Its condition varies from field to field, with some hosting substantial native vegetation and others with almost no native vegetation. Through restoration, the California annual grassland series is relatively easy to re-establish. In addition, livestock grazing and prescribed burning treatments can improve degraded habitat for federally endangered animals, such as blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica).
Cattail Series
Fresh to hypersaline water permanently or seasonally floods this wetland habitat, found on ditch banks, sloughs, lakes, and ponds. Dominant plants include: broadleaf cattail, narrowleaf cattail, California bulrush, common three-square, common tule, saltgrass, saltmarsh bulrush, and umbrella flatsedge. Plants grow less than four meters high. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as the brackish cattail wetland.
Once widespread in the Tulare Basin, this habitat is now confined to a few scattered locations. Lessons learned at restoration sites on public land provide a solid understanding about how to apply successful restoration techniques to this relatively easy to restore habitat.
Fresh to hypersaline water permanently or seasonally floods this wetland habitat, found on ditch banks, sloughs, lakes, and ponds. Dominant plants include: broadleaf cattail, narrowleaf cattail, California bulrush, common three-square, common tule, saltgrass, saltmarsh bulrush, and umbrella flatsedge. Plants grow less than four meters high. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as the brackish cattail wetland.
Once widespread in the Tulare Basin, this habitat is now confined to a few scattered locations. Lessons learned at restoration sites on public land provide a solid understanding about how to apply successful restoration techniques to this relatively easy to restore habitat.
Creeping Ryegrass Series
This permanently saturated wetland habitat, found in valley bottoms or lower alluvial slopes, features a shallow water table ranging from fresh to saline. Dominant plants include: creeping wildrye, alkali sacaton, saltgrass, and spikerush (Eleocharis spp.). Grasses grow one to two meters high and shrubs may be present. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as creeping wildrye grassland.
Found in only a few locations, this very rare habitat provides high-quality values for a variety of wildlife. As demonstrated throughout the Tulare Basin, restoring sloughs, waterways, and floodplains with the creeping ryegrass series can offer habitat for nesting wildlife and reduce the chance of spreading harmful wetland weeds, such as nutgrass (Cyperus spp.), onto downstream farmland.
This permanently saturated wetland habitat, found in valley bottoms or lower alluvial slopes, features a shallow water table ranging from fresh to saline. Dominant plants include: creeping wildrye, alkali sacaton, saltgrass, and spikerush (Eleocharis spp.). Grasses grow one to two meters high and shrubs may be present. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as creeping wildrye grassland.
Found in only a few locations, this very rare habitat provides high-quality values for a variety of wildlife. As demonstrated throughout the Tulare Basin, restoring sloughs, waterways, and floodplains with the creeping ryegrass series can offer habitat for nesting wildlife and reduce the chance of spreading harmful wetland weeds, such as nutgrass (Cyperus spp.), onto downstream farmland.
Duckweed Series
Found in ditches, streams, or ponds, fresh water permanently or seasonally floods this wetland habitat. Cover ranges from continuous to open and includes plants floating on the water surface, such as duckmeats (Spirodela spp.), duckweeds (Lemna spp.), mosquito ferns (Azolla spp.), mud-midgets (Wolffiella spp.), and water-meals (Wolffia spp.). CNDDB does not track this habitat.
This ephemeral habitat, which exists under certain conditions for a short time, covers a small portion of the ponds, marshes, and sloughs in the Tulare Basin.
Found in ditches, streams, or ponds, fresh water permanently or seasonally floods this wetland habitat. Cover ranges from continuous to open and includes plants floating on the water surface, such as duckmeats (Spirodela spp.), duckweeds (Lemna spp.), mosquito ferns (Azolla spp.), mud-midgets (Wolffiella spp.), and water-meals (Wolffia spp.). CNDDB does not track this habitat.
This ephemeral habitat, which exists under certain conditions for a short time, covers a small portion of the ponds, marshes, and sloughs in the Tulare Basin.
Giant Reed
Seasonally or permanently saturated with fresh water, this wetland habitat features a shallow water table. Giant reed (Arundo donax) dominates, forming a continuous cover up to eight meters high with few other plant species present. Introduced to California in the 1880s, this invasive, non-native grass has taken over many lowland riparian systems at the expense of native tree and shrub species, including along the Tule River, Fresno Slough, Kings River, and Kaweah River.
Permanent removal of this species is difficult, but can be carried out successfully with effort and persistence. One method of eradication involves cutting the plant and treating the stalk with herbicides. In some sites, mechanical removal of roots proves successful. Removing this species and restoring areas with native riparian plants is highly desirable.
Seasonally or permanently saturated with fresh water, this wetland habitat features a shallow water table. Giant reed (Arundo donax) dominates, forming a continuous cover up to eight meters high with few other plant species present. Introduced to California in the 1880s, this invasive, non-native grass has taken over many lowland riparian systems at the expense of native tree and shrub species, including along the Tule River, Fresno Slough, Kings River, and Kaweah River.
Permanent removal of this species is difficult, but can be carried out successfully with effort and persistence. One method of eradication involves cutting the plant and treating the stalk with herbicides. In some sites, mechanical removal of roots proves successful. Removing this species and restoring areas with native riparian plants is highly desirable.
Indian Ricegrass Grassland
A rare upland habitat, this grassland features Indian ricegrass, one-sided bluegrass (Poa secunda), and squirreltail (Elymus elymoides). Plants grow less than one and a half meters high, forming an open continuous stand on sandy soils. This rare habitat is tracked by the CNDDB.
Historical evidence suggests the Indian ricegrass grassland was once a widespread and common habitat in the Tulare Basin. In fact, seed given to Jedediah Smith’s party by the Yokuts Indians in 1826 is believed to predominantly of this species and alkali sacaton. After surveying all historical locals, no populations of this habitat have been found and it appears to be completely removed from the Tulare Basin. While very little is known about this habitat, research into restoration techniques may help restore it.
A rare upland habitat, this grassland features Indian ricegrass, one-sided bluegrass (Poa secunda), and squirreltail (Elymus elymoides). Plants grow less than one and a half meters high, forming an open continuous stand on sandy soils. This rare habitat is tracked by the CNDDB.
Historical evidence suggests the Indian ricegrass grassland was once a widespread and common habitat in the Tulare Basin. In fact, seed given to Jedediah Smith’s party by the Yokuts Indians in 1826 is believed to predominantly of this species and alkali sacaton. After surveying all historical locals, no populations of this habitat have been found and it appears to be completely removed from the Tulare Basin. While very little is known about this habitat, research into restoration techniques may help restore it.
One-sided Bluegrass Grassland
Found in either wetland or upland conditions, this grassland habitat hosts one-sided bluegrass as the dominant species. Creeping wildrye, squirreltail, and big squirreltail (Elymus multisetus) may also be present. Grasses grow less than one meter high with open cover; trees and shrubs may be present.
This is a rare habitat tracked by the CNDDB.
Generally confined to the foothills on north-facing slopes, examples of this habitat can be found in the Sierra foothills along the Kings River, Kaweah River, and Deer Creek, and in the Coast Range foothills along Avenal Creek and in a few other locations. Some sites are protected under conservation ownership, but most are not. While restoration opportunities abound, techniques for restoring this habitat need to be developed.
Found in either wetland or upland conditions, this grassland habitat hosts one-sided bluegrass as the dominant species. Creeping wildrye, squirreltail, and big squirreltail (Elymus multisetus) may also be present. Grasses grow less than one meter high with open cover; trees and shrubs may be present.
This is a rare habitat tracked by the CNDDB.
Generally confined to the foothills on north-facing slopes, examples of this habitat can be found in the Sierra foothills along the Kings River, Kaweah River, and Deer Creek, and in the Coast Range foothills along Avenal Creek and in a few other locations. Some sites are protected under conservation ownership, but most are not. While restoration opportunities abound, techniques for restoring this habitat need to be developed.
Saltgrass Series
This wetland habitat found in valley bottoms and at the lower edges of alluvial slopes is irregularly flooded and permanently saturated with a shallow saline or alkaline water table. Dominant plants include: saltgrass, alkali sacaton, Baltic rush, iodine bush, and yerba mansa. Plants grow less than one meter high with a continuous to open canopy. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as saltgrass-iodine bush and alkali saltgrass.
A number of stands of this habitat remain throughout the Tulare Basin. Voluntary conservation agreements protect some sites, whereas in other locations, unprotected or degraded habitat remains. Restoration opportunities abound, though restoration techniques for the saltgrass series are still being developed.
This wetland habitat found in valley bottoms and at the lower edges of alluvial slopes is irregularly flooded and permanently saturated with a shallow saline or alkaline water table. Dominant plants include: saltgrass, alkali sacaton, Baltic rush, iodine bush, and yerba mansa. Plants grow less than one meter high with a continuous to open canopy. CNDDB tracks this rare habitat as saltgrass-iodine bush and alkali saltgrass.
A number of stands of this habitat remain throughout the Tulare Basin. Voluntary conservation agreements protect some sites, whereas in other locations, unprotected or degraded habitat remains. Restoration opportunities abound, though restoration techniques for the saltgrass series are still being developed.
Sedge Series
This wetland habitat, seasonally or permanently flooded with fresh water, can be found at the margins of lakes, ponds, streams, depressions and swales. Sedges dominate, but the habitat also features bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), rushes, and spikerush (Eleocharis spp.). Plants grow less than one meter high with continuous or intermittent cover. CNDDB does not track this habitat.
Very little of this habitat type remains in the Tulare Basin, with small patches found sporadically on public land and a few other locations. The sedge series provides important habitat for birds, such as the Virginia rail (Rallus limicola), sora (Porzana carolina), common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), American coot (Fulica americana), and many species of shorebirds (Order Charadriiformes). Developing and implementing restoration techniques will enable these and other species of wildlife to survive.
This wetland habitat, seasonally or permanently flooded with fresh water, can be found at the margins of lakes, ponds, streams, depressions and swales. Sedges dominate, but the habitat also features bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), rushes, and spikerush (Eleocharis spp.). Plants grow less than one meter high with continuous or intermittent cover. CNDDB does not track this habitat.
Very little of this habitat type remains in the Tulare Basin, with small patches found sporadically on public land and a few other locations. The sedge series provides important habitat for birds, such as the Virginia rail (Rallus limicola), sora (Porzana carolina), common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), American coot (Fulica americana), and many species of shorebirds (Order Charadriiformes). Developing and implementing restoration techniques will enable these and other species of wildlife to survive.
Wildflower Field
Dominated by native forbs and non-native grasses, this upland habitat hosts California poppy, birds-eye gilia (Gilia tricolor), tidy tips (Layia platyglossa), bicolored lupine (Lupinus bicolor), valley tassels (Castilleja attenuata), and purple owls-clover. Annual grasses found in this habitat are the same as those listed under California annual grassland above. Located where non-native grasses are not favored and generally interspersed within grassland habitats, wildflower fields grow on sites with low nutrients or that dry out quickly. The composition of species varies from site to site and from year to year. This rare habitat is tracked by the CNDDB.
Wildflower fields can be found in Buena Vista Hills, Elk Hills, and Lokern, and along San Emigdio Creek and Deer Creek. Spring controlled burns and late spring and summer grazing enhances these sites and promotes native species growth.
Dominated by native forbs and non-native grasses, this upland habitat hosts California poppy, birds-eye gilia (Gilia tricolor), tidy tips (Layia platyglossa), bicolored lupine (Lupinus bicolor), valley tassels (Castilleja attenuata), and purple owls-clover. Annual grasses found in this habitat are the same as those listed under California annual grassland above. Located where non-native grasses are not favored and generally interspersed within grassland habitats, wildflower fields grow on sites with low nutrients or that dry out quickly. The composition of species varies from site to site and from year to year. This rare habitat is tracked by the CNDDB.
Wildflower fields can be found in Buena Vista Hills, Elk Hills, and Lokern, and along San Emigdio Creek and Deer Creek. Spring controlled burns and late spring and summer grazing enhances these sites and promotes native species growth.
Learn More
The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) is a program that inventories the status and locations of rare plants and animals in California. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Game, CNDDB staff work with partners to maintain current lists of rare species, along with an ever-growing database of GIS-mapped locations for these species. The goal of the CNDDB is to provide the most current information available on the state's most imperiled elements of natural diversity and to provide tools to analyze these data. To learn more, visithttp://www.dfg.ca.gov.
The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) is a program that inventories the status and locations of rare plants and animals in California. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Game, CNDDB staff work with partners to maintain current lists of rare species, along with an ever-growing database of GIS-mapped locations for these species. The goal of the CNDDB is to provide the most current information available on the state's most imperiled elements of natural diversity and to provide tools to analyze these data. To learn more, visithttp://www.dfg.ca.gov.
Note: The descriptions of alkali meadow and wildflower field follow the Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California, Non-game Heritage Program by R.F. Holland, 1986. The rest of of the habitats below follow A Manual of California Vegetation, by J.O. Sawyer and T. Keeler-Wolf, 1995, which defines habitats based on the plant associations found in a series or particular plant community.
