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When the northeastern bulrush joined the ranks of federally endangered plants and animals in 1991, the perennial, grass-like sedge teetered on the edge of extinction with just 13 known populations spread across six states. More than 30 years later, that number has jumped elevenfold to 148 plant populations.
Due to this increase, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the northeastern bulrush has recovered and will be delisted as a federally endangered species on July 10.
However, researchers studying the plant are questioning the delisting decision—noting that the northeastern bulrush faces ongoing threats from climate change, habitat loss and a lack of genetic diversity. And this tough-to-find wetland plant has a life cycle that’s not yet fully understood.
“To delist it completely is premature,” said Kendra Cipollini, a plant biologist at Wilmington College and one of the leading experts on the northeastern bulrush. “I just don’t think they did enough systematic study.”
🔗 Read more on our website, linked in our bio
✍️ Madeline Shaw
📸 Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
