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Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Palla

California bulrush, California club-rush, Giant Bulrush

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonyms: Scirpus californicus

USDA Symbol: SCCA11

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

California club-rush or California bulrush is a stout, emergent wetland plant to 6 ft. with dark-green stems and reddish-brown tassels of flowers and fruits. Leaves are reduced to basal sheaths.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Yellow-Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , FL , GA , HI , IL , KS , LA , MS , NM , OK , OR , SC , TN , TX
Native Distribution: CA coast and Central Valley; possibly indigenous to Hawaii
Native Habitat: Freshwater marshes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Standing water or wet, mucky soils.
Conditions Comments: Used in wetland restorations. Bulrush forms a buffer against wind and wave action, thus permitting other aquatic plants to grow in an otherwise unfavorable environment.

Benefit

Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Description: Germinating seed in water at 86-90 degrees in continous high light gives good results.
Seed Collection: Store fresh, undried seeds in water in refrigerator 6 months.
Seed Treatment: See seed storage notes.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Schoenoplectus californicus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Schoenoplectus californicus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Schoenoplectus californicus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: NPC

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