Softstem bulrush
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Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
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Cyperaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Water gardens and along pond and lake edges. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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Availability: |
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Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida. |
Description: |
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Large herbaceous sedge with cylindrical stems. |
Height: |
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About 5-8 feet in height. Spreading from underground stems (rhizomes) and forming large patches. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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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: |
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Marshes. |
Soils: |
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Wet, permanantly inundated organic soils. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun to light shade. |
Flower Color: |
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Brownish inflorescence. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Inconspicuous. |
Flowering Season: |
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All year. |
Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous achene. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed and division. |
Comments: |
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This is the most common bulrush in North America. Horticultural synonyms: S. validus. |
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