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Schoenoplectus acutus var. acutus

Schoenoplectus acutus (Muhl. ex Bigelow) Á. Löve & D. Löve var. acutus

Hardstem Bulrush

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonym(s): Schoenoplectus lacustris ssp. acutus, Scirpus acutus, Scirpus lacustris

USDA Symbol: SCACA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

A stout, rhizomatous, grass-like perennial with erect, olive-green culms from 3-10 ft. in height. The panicle is stiff; made up of clusters of reddish-brown spikelets.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , AR , CO , CT , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SD , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: BC , NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: N.S. to B.C., s. to NC,TN, TX & CO
Native Habitat: Marshes; ponds; bogs

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet soil to standing water.
Conditions Comments: Withstands alkalinity. Very valuable for providing shoreline protection.

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

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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