Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
Encyclopedia
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (syn.
Scirpus validus) is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family
known by the common names softstem bulrush and great bulrush. It can be found throughout the world, growing in many types of moist and wet habitat, and sometimes in shallow water. It is quite variable in appearance. It is a perennial herb producing dense stands of many narrow erect stems reaching 1 to 3 meters in height. It grows from a long rhizome
system. The leaves are mostly basal and have wide sheaths around the stems. The inflorescence
is generally a panicle
of spikelets on long, thin branches which spread, arch, or droop. The spikelets vary in color. There is usually along, stiff bract
alongside each spikelet or cluster of spikelets.
A cultivar
of this species with bright horizontal white or yellowish stripes, S. tabernaemontani 'Zebrinus', is sold as an ornamental plant
for water gardens and landscaping. Solid white and yellow cultivars are also available.
Synonym (taxonomy)
In scientific nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that is or was used for a taxon of organisms that also goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linnaeus was the first to give a scientific name to the Norway spruce, which he called Pinus abies...
Scirpus validus) is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae are a family of monocotyledonous graminoid flowering plants known as sedges, which superficially resemble grasses or rushes. The family is large, with some 5,500 species described in about 109 genera. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group...
known by the common names softstem bulrush and great bulrush. It can be found throughout the world, growing in many types of moist and wet habitat, and sometimes in shallow water. It is quite variable in appearance. It is a perennial herb producing dense stands of many narrow erect stems reaching 1 to 3 meters in height. It grows from a long rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
system. The leaves are mostly basal and have wide sheaths around the stems. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is generally a panicle
Panicle
A panicle is a compound raceme, a loose, much-branched indeterminate inflorescence with pedicellate flowers attached along the secondary branches; in other words, a branched cluster of flowers in which the branches are racemes....
of spikelets on long, thin branches which spread, arch, or droop. The spikelets vary in color. There is usually along, stiff bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
alongside each spikelet or cluster of spikelets.
A cultivar
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
of this species with bright horizontal white or yellowish stripes, S. tabernaemontani 'Zebrinus', is sold as an ornamental plant
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
for water gardens and landscaping. Solid white and yellow cultivars are also available.
External links
- Profile: Great Bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani) Photos, Drawings, Text. (Wild Plants of Winnipeg from Nature Manitoba)
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- USDA Plants Profile
- Flora of North America
- Washington Burke Museum
- Illinois Wildflowers
- Photo gallery