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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Scirpus acutus is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in) at a fast rate.The seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. occidentalis.

Plant Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Pollen Root Seed Shoots
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[62, 161]. Rich in starch, it has been ground into a powder and used with cereal flours in making bread[212]. The roots can be boiled with water and made into a syrup[257]. The roots are usually peeled before being eaten[257]. Pollen[62]. Rich in protein, it can be added to flour when making bread, cakes etc. Seed[62, 257]. Small and fiddly to utilize. White stem bases and tender young shoots - raw or cooked[257]. Harvested in the spring[161], they are crisp and sweet[212]. New shoots form in the autumn and make a welcome snack[212]. The inner portions of the stems can be eaten raw[257].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Haemostatic

The stem pith is haemostatic[257]. A poultice of the pith is placed under a dressing in order to stop the wound bleeding[257]. The roots have been chewed as a preventative to thirst[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry Paper Weaving

A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making paper[189]. The fresh stems can be harvested in summer, or dried stems can be used at any time of the year. The stems are split and cut into usable pieces, soaked for 24 hours in clear water and then cooked for 1½ hours with lye. The fibres are then beaten in a blender and can be used to make a beige/brown paper[189]. The stems and leaves are used for weaving or sewing together into hats, mats, mattresses etc[61, 189, 257]. The stems are very durable and take a year or more to decay in the wild[212]. The stems have been used in basket making[257]. The outer surface of the stems has been split and twisted into weft cords and warp[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any wet to moisture retentive ground, pond margins and shallow water in full sun or shade[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in 3cm of water. Only just cover the seed with soil[200]. The seed usually germinates fairly quickly. Prick out the plants when large enough to handle and plant out in their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Alaska (south), Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah), Mexico (Baja, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Scirpus affinis		Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	0	2
Scirpus americanus	American Bulrush	Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	0	2
Scirpus caldwellii		Perennial	1.5	-	LMH	SN	M	0	0
Scirpus cyperinus	Woolly Grass Bulrush, Woolgrass	Perennial	1.5	6-9	LMH	SN	MWeWa	1	0	1
Scirpus fluviatilis	River Bulrush	Perennial	2.0	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	1	1
Scirpus lacustris	Bulrush	Perennial	2.5	4-8	LMH	SN	MWeWa	3	1	2
Scirpus litoralis	Bulrush	Perennial	0.0	0-0	LMH	SN	M	0	0
Scirpus maritimus	Seaside Bulrush. Cosmopolitan Bulrush	Perennial	1.0	5-9	LMH	N	MWeWa	3	1	2
Scirpus medianus		Perennial	2.0	-	LMH	SN	M	0	0
Scirpus microcarpus	Panicled Bulrush	Perennial	1.5	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	3	1	1
Scirpus nevadensis	Nevada Bulrush	Perennial	0.3	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	0	1
Scirpus paludosus	Bayonet Grass	Perennial	0.5	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	0
Scirpus subterminalis	Water Bulrush	Perennial	0.6	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	0
Scirpus ternatus		Perennial	1.0	-	LMH	SN	MWeWa	1	0
Scirpus validus	River Club-Rush	Perennial	1.5	6-9	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	1	1
Scirpus validus creber	Soft-Stem Bulrush	Perennial	1.5	6-9	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	1	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Scirpus acutus - Muehl. ex Bigelow.