Softstem bulrush
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
Cyperaceae


Landscape Uses:

Water gardens and along pond and lake edges.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida.
Description:
Large herbaceous sedge with cylindrical stems.
Height:
About 5-8 feet in height. Spreading from underground stems (rhizomes) and forming large patches.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Widespread in North America south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties; the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Old World (Europe). Scattered in the southeastern US, including Florida.
Habitats:
Marshes.
Soils:
Wet, permanantly inundated organic soils.
Nutritional Requirements:
High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
Brownish inflorescence.
Flower Characteristics:
Inconspicuous.
Flowering Season:
All year.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous achene.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed and division.
Comments:
This is the most common bulrush in North America. Horticultural synonyms: S. validus.