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Bolboschoenus maritimus

Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla

Alkali Bulrush, Bayonet Grass, Cosmopolitan Bulrush, Prairie Bulrush, Saltmarsh Club-rush

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonym(s): Bolboschoenus maritimus ssp. paludosus, Bolboschoenus maritimus var. paludosus, Bolboschoenus paludosus, Schoenoplectus maritimus, Scirpus fernaldii, Scirpus maritimus, Scirpus maritimus var. fernaldii, Scirpus maritimus var. paludosus, Scirpus pacificus, Scirpus paludosus, Scirpus paludosus var. atlanticus

USDA Symbol: BOMA7

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), HI (N), CAN (NI)

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

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.

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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