BULRUSH 



Scirpus spp. 



The bulrush, or club rush, belongs to the sedge family, Cyperaceae. 

 These grasslike or rushlike herbs are generally perennial and rarely 

 annual. They spread vegetatively and overwinter by means of scaly, 

 stout, reddish horizontal stems or rhizomes. These plants are 

 characterized by the cylindrical or variously angled erect stems 

 (technically called culms) and much reduced small leaves that develop 

 near the plant base. Leaves are often overlooked because of their 

 reduced size and clasping nature in some species. 



There are numerous species of bulrush, but one of the more 

 commonly observed species is the great or soft-stem bulrush, Scirpus 

 validus\2^\\, that is often referred to as tule. This species has a soft, 

 easily compressed culm (stem) that is round in cross section tapering 

 upward. The flowers are produced on the terminal of the culms. These 

 stems often grow in excess of a thousand millimeters in height. The 

 leaves are sheathlike at the base of the plant. Accurate identification 

 of the bulrushes requires detailed botanical study to differentiate the 

 numerous species predominantly by means of flower and fruit 

 characteristics. 



Bulrush is common to irrigation projects, especially in marsh areas 

 or in shallow drains. Their habitat is similar to the cattail, and they 

 contribute extensively to the marshy vegetation complex that restricts 

 the carrying potential of drainage conveyance channels. 



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