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• Overview
• Distribution

  Additional Information

• ECOS Profile (regulatory documents, recovery plan)
• NJFO Fact Sheet
• Survey Guidelines [PDF]
• Center for Plant Conservation

Overview

A semi-perennial member of the sedge family, Knieskern’s beaked-rush is a grass-like plant that grows 0.6 to 24 inches tall and is distinguished from other species by its fruit (achene). Fruiting typically occurs from July to September.

Knieskern’s beaked-rush is found only in (endemic to) New Jersey. An obligate wetland species, Knieskern’s beaked-rush occurs in early successional wetland habitats, often on bog-iron substrates adjacent to slow-moving streams in the Pinelands region. In the past, fire may have played an important role in creating and maintaining suitable habitat for Knieskern’s beaked-rush. This species is also found in human-disturbed wet areas that exhibit similar early successional stages due to water fluctuation or periodic disturbance from vehicles, mowing, or fire. These human-influenced habitats include abandoned borrow pits, clay pits, ditches, rights-of-way, and unimproved roads. Knieskern’s beaked-rush is often associated with other sedge and grass species. However, it is intolerant of shade and competition, especially from woody species, and is sometimes found on relatively bare substrates.

Threats to Knieskern’s beaked-rush include habitat loss from development, agriculture, hydrologic modification, and other wetland alterations; excessive disturbance from vehicle-use, trash dumping, and other activities; and natural vegetative succession of the open, sparsely-vegetated substrate preferred by this species.

Distribution

Distribution in New Jersey: Knieskern's beaked-rush occurs in Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Camden, and Atlantic Counties. See Federally Listed Species Occurrences by Municipality and County [PDF].