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Summary

Tule, or hardstem bulrush, is a tall, robust wetland sedge of enormous historical and ecological importance. Widespread across North America, it thrives in standing or slow-moving freshwater and has long served as a food, craft, and construction plant for Indigenous peoples. Nearly every part of the plant—rhizome, shoot, stem, seed, and pollen—is usable. The rhizomes are a starchy winter staple; the tender stems and shoots are edible greens; and the seeds provide nutritious grain. Tule is also the source of the name for “Tule marshes” and “Tule boats,” reflecting its cultural prominence. USDA Hardiness Zones 3–10; height typically 1.5–3.5 m, spread 0.5–1.5 m via rhizomes.

Physical Characteristics

Schoenoplectus acutus is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms: S. lacustris subsp. acutus (Muhl. ex Bigelow) Á.Löve & D.Löve. Scirpus acutus Muhl. ex Bigelow

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Uses & Rating: Rhizomes, young shoots, pollen, and seeds are edible. The rhizomes yield carbohydrates and have a pleasant, mild sweetness. Seeds, when winnowed and ground, make flour similar in use to wild rice or wheat germ. The pollen can be collected as a fine yellow meal [2-3]. Edibility rating: 4/5, primarily for its rhizomes and seeds. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Rhizomes taste mildly sweet and marshy when boiled, with a fibrous texture that varies with age. The broth from boiled rhizomes is pleasantly sweet and nutrient-rich. Shoots can be eaten raw or cooked; they have a crisp, grassy flavor. Seeds benefit from roasting before grinding, which removes the pond-like flavor and develops nutty tones. Seasonality (Phenology): New shoots appear in spring, flowering occurs mid to late summer, and seeds mature late summer to early autumn. Rhizomes can be dug year-round, though carbohydrate reserves are highest in winter dormancy. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): Ensure clean collection sites—bulrushes bioaccumulate contaminants in polluted wetlands. Always harvest from unpolluted freshwater sources. Harvest & Processing Workflow: Dig rhizomes in winter or early spring, peel and boil. Collect shoots in spring. Gather mature seeds in late summer, dry, and winnow before toasting or grinding [2-3]. Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary: Used widely by Indigenous peoples across California and the Great Basin for food (rhizomes, seeds, pollen), mats, baskets, roofing, boats, and cordage. Tule canoes were a hallmark of Central California tribes.

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.

None Known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Mats, baskets, roofing, boats, and cordage. Tule canoes were a hallmark of Central California tribes. Ecology & Wildlife: Critical habitat for waterfowl and marsh birds; seeds eaten by ducks, geese, and shorebirds; stems provide nesting material; rhizomes stabilize sediments and support aquatic invertebrates.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Identification & Habit:A tall perennial sedge with round, solid, leafless stems and creeping rhizomes. Stems are smooth, dark green to olive, and round in cross-section (distinguishing it from triangular Schoenoplectus species). The inflorescences are compound clusters of brown spikelets near the stem tip, subtended by a long, stem-like bract. It spreads vigorously through its stout rhizome network. Growing Conditions: Requires permanent or seasonal shallow water and full sun. Thrives in silts, loams, and organic sediments with a pH of 6–8. It tolerates flooding, seasonal drought, and cold winters. Habitat & Range: Common in marshes, ponds, lake margins, and slow streams throughout North America from Canada to Mexico. Especially dominant in western wetlands and Great Basin marshes. Size & Landscape Performance: Tule forms dense colonies up to 3.5 m tall. In ecological restoration, it provides shoreline stabilization, nesting cover, and nutrient cycling. In constructed wetlands it’s used for water filtration and nutrient uptake. Cultivation (Horticulture): Establish in shallow water (10–30 cm depth) with space for rhizome spread. Once established, it is self-sustaining and low-maintenance. Suitable for wetland restoration or large ponds. Pests & Problems: Few natural pests; overly deep flooding can reduce vigor. Occasional fungal or smut infections occur in stagnant water. Cultivar/Selection Notes: No named horticultural selections. Some regional ecotypes vary in height and robustness.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Propagate by rhizome division or seed. Rhizomes should be planted horizontally 5–10 cm deep. Seeds require cold-moist stratification and germinate best in shallow water or saturated media.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Schoenoplectus acutus (Tule / Hardstem Bulrush)

Native Range

US. USA. Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, California, Central American Pacific Is., Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kamchatka, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yukon.

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.

Moderate; dense stands can exclude other species. Management may be needed in small artificial wetlands.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Schoenoplectus acutus is listed as Least Concern.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Schoenoplectus americanus	American Threesquare	Perennial	1.0	5-10	M	LM	N	WeWa	2	0	3
Schoenoplectus californicus	California Bulrush	Perennial	4.0	7-11	F	LMH	N	MWeWa	4	1	2
Schoenoplectus californicus tatora	Totora	Perennial	2.0	6-10	F	LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	0	4
Schoenoplectus pungens	Common Threesquare	Perennial	1.0	4-10	F	LMH	N	WeWa	2	0	2
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani	Softstem Bulrush	Perennial	2.0	4-10	F	LMH	N	WeWa	4	2	3

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.

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Schoenoplectus acutus - (Muhl. ex Bigelow) Á.Löve & D.Löve