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Scirpus validus creber - Fernald.

Common Name Soft-Stem Bulrush
Family Cyperaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Fresh to brackish marshes, fens, bogs, lakes, stream banks and bars, pioneering in disturbed places, often emergent in water up to 1 metre deep, from sea level to elevations of 2400 metres[270].
Range N. America - all areas except the extreme north.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Scirpus validus creber Soft-Stem Bulrush


Scirpus validus creber Soft-Stem Bulrush

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Scirpus validus creber is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower 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

Schoenoplectus validus creber.

Plant Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Pollen  Root  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[159, 161, 172, 183]. Rich in starch. The bruised young roots, when boiled in water, furnish a sweet syrup[183]. The rhizomes are 3 - 10mm in diameter[270]. Young shoots - cooked[55, 62, 85, 183]. The tender base of the stem is eaten raw in salads[183]. The pollen is used in soups or mixed with flour and used in making bread[177, 183]. It is rich in protein. Seed[62, 85, 159, 183]. No further details are given but it is probably ground into a powder and used in making bread etc. Small and rather fiddly to harvest and utilize.

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.
Astringent  Diuretic

The root is astringent and diuretic[152].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Weaving

The stems are used in weaving and basket making[189, 257]. They are used to make good quality mats for use on the floor, for sleeping on and for making temporary partitions[257]. The stems are pulled off the plant rather than cut to ensure the maximum length of stem[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. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. This species may be no more than a synonym for Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani[270]. 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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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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

Coming Soon

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Scirpus acutusHard Stem BulrushPerennial2.0 - FLMHSNMWeWa312
Scirpus affinis Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWeWa202
Scirpus americanusAmerican BulrushPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWeWa202
Scirpus caldwellii Perennial1.5 -  LMHSNM00 
Scirpus cyperinusWoolly Grass Bulrush, WoolgrassPerennial1.5 6-9  LMHSNMWeWa101
Scirpus fluviatilisRiver BulrushPerennial2.0 -  LMHSNMWeWa211
Scirpus lacustrisBulrushPerennial2.5 4-8  LMHSNMWeWa312
Scirpus litoralisBulrushPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM00 
Scirpus maritimusSeaside Bulrush. Cosmopolitan BulrushPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHNMWeWa312
Scirpus medianus Perennial2.0 -  LMHSNM00 
Scirpus microcarpusPanicled BulrushPerennial1.5 -  LMHSNMWeWa311
Scirpus nevadensisNevada BulrushPerennial0.3 -  LMHSNMWeWa201
Scirpus paludosusBayonet GrassPerennial0.5 -  LMHSNMWeWa20 
Scirpus subterminalisWater BulrushPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWeWa20 
Scirpus ternatus Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNMWeWa10 
Scirpus validusRiver Club-RushPerennial1.5 6-9  LMHSNMWeWa211

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Fernald.

Botanical References

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