an annotated list
Several species of Rhynchospora occur in Arkansas. Several are weedy and / or wetland species.
Taxonomy of species marked with an asterisk * matches the "Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Arkansas" (Gentry, et al. 2006).
(Green text designates species recognized in the above cited checklist.
Blue text designates "possible additions" to the flora of Arkansas, not currently represented by specimens.
Red text designates excluded species, perhaps attributed to but not expected in Arkansas by this author.
*Rhynchospora caduca Elliott
I have a single record of this species from Hempstead County, housed at APCR. I am not confident of its identification and know of no other Arkansas records. My lack of confidence is based on my inexperience with this genus; that is, I'm unsure my identification was correct because it was probably done without comparison material and simply by using keys. Flora of North American records the mainly southeastern United States and all states adjoining Arkansas excluding Missouri.
*Rhynchospora capillacea Torr.
I have no records of this species from Arkansas, but it is listed for Arkansas by the Arkansas Flora Committee. Arkansas seems to be on the southern edge of the range with Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
*Rhynchospora capitellata (Michx.) Vahl
My records show this species from Benton, Cleburne, Fulton, and Pope counties with those specimens at APCR. This species occurs throughout the eastern United States and in Oregon and California (Flora of North America.)
*Rhynchospora cephalantha A. Gray
I have no records of this species from Arkansas, but it is listed for Arkansas by the Arkansas Flora Committee. This species seems to occur only in Atlantic and Gulf Coastal states in the United States (Flora of North America).
*Rhynchospora chalarocephala Fernald & Gale
I have no records of this species from Arkansas, but it is listed for Arkansas by the Arkansas Flora Committee. I'm beginning to wonder if Arkansas' Rhynchospora species are based on misidentifications by non-experts!
*Rhynchospora colorata (L.) H. Pfeiff.
I have seen two specimens of this species for Arkansas, both from Bradley County, Arkansas. One, collected by Demaree (19264), is at LSU. The second is at UCAC and collected fairly recently by John Logan (101). Flora of North America shows Arkansas as the only non-coastal state with this taxon.
*Rhynchospora corniculata (Lam.) A. Gray
Common weedy species, especially in the flatlands of Arkansas. I have seen specimens form 20 counties, all south of Franklin, Pope, Independence, and Randolph counties. This species is quite distinctive and large compared to other Rhynchospora species in Arkansas. This generally southeastern species is known from all states surrounding Arkansas.
*Rhynchospora globularis(Chapm.) Small var. globularis
I have no records of this species from Arkansas, but it is listed for Arkansas by the Arkansas Flora Committee.
*Rhynchospora glomerata (L.) Vahl
I have records of this species from central and southern Arkansas, based on specimens at APCR, LTU, MICH, UARK, UCAC, and UNA which I have reviewed. Current known distribution is limited within counties within Miller, Johnson, Faulkner, Jefferson, and Bradley counties. This southeastern species is known from most southeastern states. Very common.
*Rhynchospora gracilenta A. Gray
I have no records of this species from Arkansas, but it is listed for Arkansas by the Arkansas Flora Committee.
*Rhynchospora harveyi Boott var. harveyi
Southern Arkansas? Need to find my data!
*Rhynchospora inexpansa (Michx.) Vahl
Southern Arkansas! One of the more common species often occuring in large numbers in wet fallow fields and similar sunny wetlands. Also common on roadsides and other habitats.
*Rhynchospora macrostachya Torr. ex A. Gray
Similar to R. corniculata but much less common in Arkansas. I've only found it in Lonoke County represented by a specimen at UTC (Kessler 4332 ), although my notes say "identification probably ok". It is known from most southeastern states.
*Rhynchospora microcarpa Baldwin ex A. Gray
I've only seen a single specimen from UCAC and Faulkner County.
*Rhynchospora plumosa Elliott
I have no records of this species in Arkansas but it is recognized as occurring in Arkansas by the Arkansas Flora Committee.
*Rhynchospora rariflora (Michx.) Elliott
I've only seen a single specimen from APCR and Calhoun County.
*Rhynchospora recognita (Gale) Kral
I've seen specimens from 13 Arkansas counties from Lafayette to Yell to Stone to Independence to Drew counties. This taxon has previously been considered Rhynchospora globularis (Chapm.) Small var. recognita Gale.
*Rhynchospora scirpoides (Torr.) Griseb.
I have no records of this species in Arkansas but it is recognized as occurring in Arkansas by the Arkansas Flora Committee.
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