Etymology: Schoenoplectus: Greek a 'rush leek' ' plecto for "plaited, twisted" schoenos for "rush or reed"
Plants: erect, perennial, 3'-10' tall, semi-aquatic, emergent sedge, can be large colonies; stems spongy with big air chambers, cylindrical, bluish-green; shallow rhizomes
Leaves: merely sheaths at stem base
Flowers: covered by red-brown spiral scales; inflorescence oval spikelets from side of floral bract at stem top, spikelets droop from their stems,
Fruits: nutlet
Habitat: wet; marshes, in water < 6.5' deep; in mucky soil
Conservation Status: Native

A Round-Stem Bulrush

- achenes 2-sided

- perianth bristles 6

- spikelets ovoid, less than twice as long as broad

- stems easily compressed

- awns of floral scales straight or slightly bent

- spikelets in an open panicle

- pedicels scabrous on the two edges and smooth on the sides

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions