Small-fruited bulrush

Scirpus microcarpus – Small-fruited bulrush

At a Glance:

top: bulrush going to seed
bottom: wheat-like bulrush seed stalks

Family: Cyperaceae
Plant Type: Tall herbaceous, grass-like plant that spreads rhizomatously, sending out single to few shoots at a time.
Distribution: Widespread across most of North America, Pacific Coast to New England
Habitat: Wetlands, ditches, and moist areas at low to mid-elevations
Height: 0.5 -1.5m tall
Flower/Fruits: Terminal cluster of flowers, appearing white at peak bloom. Fruits develop to smooth red-brown scales covering a small straw-colored seed.
Flowering Season: June-August
Leaves: Fertile culms (flowering stem) are triangular in cross-section. Leaves are green and grass-like, with a red-purple tinted sheath.
Generation: Perennial
Notable feature: Scirpus cyperinus can be distinguished from S. microcarpus because of it’s very wooly hairy bristles covering the seed/achene.

Restoration and Conservation

Excellent plant to use in revegetation of freshwater shorelines and to stabilize soil. Tall stems along shoreline provide birds nesting areas and shelter.

Ethnobotany

澳门赌场 root and stems have been harvested by Native Americans and eaten raw or cooked. 澳门赌场 pollen, like cattail pollen, is rich in protein and has been added to other flours and used in baking. 澳门赌场 long stems were also used for basket weaving and woven decoration on clothing items.

References and Resources

This article was written by Sarah Verlinde. For questions regarding the UWB/CC Plant Tour, contact Sarah at severlin@uw.edu.