Description

Bolboschoenus robustus, Saltmarsh bulrush, Wholesale Native Grass Plant Plugs, Organically Grown

Species Overview
Salt-marsh bulrush is a native sedge which may first be noticed growing along the edges of brackish and saline coastal marshes. Scirpus robustus blooms from spring to fall and occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands. They have very large conspicuous, cone-shaped spikelets, and long thin leaves and bracts. Its many seeds are an important food to ducks, geese and other water birds.

Species Characteristics
Salt-marsh bulrush is a bulrush sedge. stems erect, sharply triangular, hard, to 3 ft. tall; leaf blades from the upper stem nodes, very long and narrow, to 24 in. long, to 3/8 in. wide; inflorescence comprised of 1-5 large spikelets; bracts leaf-like, to 1 ft. long; spikelets large, oblong, to 1 1/2 in. long, stalked or unstalked, brown to dark reddish; nutlet shiny brown, with pits.

USDA Symbol: BORO5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Reddish-tan, ovoid to cylindrical spikelets clustered closely against a sharply triangular stem.

Three-squares are an important group of sedges for wildlife. Their seeds are among the most common foods of ducks and marsh birds. Their stems and roots are eaten by muskrats and geese, and they provide cover for many birds and animals. The larger marsh species Olney Three-square (S. americanus) reaches a height of 10′ (3 m); its small spikelets are all gathered along one side of the stalk near the top.

Bolboschoenus robustus, Saltmarsh bulrush, Wholesale Native Grass Plant Plugs, Organically Grown