Plants and Animals

Cyperus acuminatus Cyperus, Nut grass

Key Characteristics

Small clumped nut-grass (20-30 cm) of wet, sandy shores; inflorescence densely hemispherical; scale tips spreading outward, acute; fruit triangular in cross-section.

Status and Rank

US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
Global Rank: G5 - Secure
State Rank: S1 - Critically imperiled

Occurrences

CountyNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Kalamazoo 1 2021
Oakland 1 1928

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

No data for the sole Michigan collection; likely occurred along lake margin or in similar marsh habitat. Last seen in the state in 1928.

Natural Community Types

For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.

Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.

Associated Plants

Management Recommendations

Status surveys are required to determine if extant populations occur and to provide more detailed habitat information. Protection of hydrology is likely important for this species. It's habitat is also vulnerable to damage from ORVs.

Survey Methods

Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgement of the investigator.

  • Breeding call surveys

    • Survey Period: From second week of May to third week of July

References

Survey References

  • Heyer, W.R., M.A. Donnelly, R.W. McDiarmid, L.C. Hayek, and M.S. Foster, eds. 1994. Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. 364pp.
  • Karns, D.R. 1986. Field Herpetology: Methods for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles in Minnesota. Occ. Pap. No. 18. J.F. Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Technical References

  • Burkett, R.D. 1984. An ecological study of the cricket frog, Acris crepitans. Pp. 89-103. In: Seigel, R.A., L.E. Hunt, J.L. Knight, L. Malaret, and N.L. Zuschlag (eds.). 1984. Vertebrate Ecology and Systematics. Museum of Natural History, The University of Kansas, Lawrence.
  • Harding, J.H. 1997.Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 378pp.
  • Lee, Y., D.A. Hyde and J. Legge. 2000. Special Animal Abstract for Acris crepitans blanchardi (Blanchard's cricket frog). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 4pp.
  • Minton, S.A. 1972. Amphibians and Reptiles of Indiana. Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis. 3: 346pp.
  • Smith, P.W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey, Carbondale. Bulletin No. 28. 298 pp.

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