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Native Plant Database

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Schoenoplectus maritimus (L.) Lye

Alkali bulrush, Bayonet grass, Cosmopolitan bulrush, Prairie bulrush, Saltmarsh club-rush

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonyms: Scirpus maritimus, Scirpus paludosus, Scirpus maritimus var. paludosus

USDA Symbol: SCMA8

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Saltmarsh club-rush or alkali bulrush is a rhizomatous perennial, 16-40 in. tall. The grass-like leaves have reddish-purple bases. Small, brown, terminal spikes occur in a rounded, compact, terminal cluster. This cluster may be surpassed by additional clusters on short pecuncles. Leafy bracts extend beyond the clusters.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , HI , IA , ID , IL , KS , LA , MA , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OK , OR , PA , RI , SD , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WY
Canada: BC , NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Scattered throughout temperate N. America; more common along seacoasts
Native Habitat: Marshes; water body margins; wet, alkali & saline meadows
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), HI(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet, saline or alkaline soil.
Conditions Comments: Plants of w. and c. U.S. often belong to var. paludosus. The more eastern var. maritimus varies only slightly in physical characteristics.

Propagation

Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

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.

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Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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