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Schoenoplectus americanus - (Pers.) Volkart

Common Name American Threesquare
Family Cyperaceae
USDA hardiness 5-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coastal and inland wetlands throughout the Americas; common in the Southwest’s saline and freshwater marshes.
Range New Zealand, N. & Central America, Caribbean, NW. Venezuela to Argentina.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Wet Soil Water Plants Full sun
Schoenoplectus americanus American Threesquare


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Schoenoplectus americanus American Threesquare
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

 

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Summary

American threesquare is a smaller, triangular-stemmed bulrush found throughout wet lowlands of the Americas. Though edible, it is nutritionally modest and yields limited food value compared with larger bulrushes. USDA Zones 5–10; height 0.5–1.5 m.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Schoenoplectus americanus is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
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 and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Homotypic Synonyms: Heleophylax americanus (Pers.) Schinz & Thell., Scirpus americanus Pers.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Uses & Rating: Edible rhizomes, stem bases, shoots, and seeds—but all are small and low-yielding. Seeds are best utilized [2-3]. Rating: 2/5. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Shoots and stems have mild grassy flavor; rhizomes are tough and stringy; seeds can be toasted for a wheat-like flavor. Best used in soups or as flour extender [2-3].. Seasonality (Phenology): Growth in spring–summer; seed maturation in late summer. Rhizomes harvestable year-round. Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary: Utilized for weaving and seed harvesting; limited food role compared to tule (Schoenoplectus acutus) [2-3]. Edibility Summary: Low caloric value; Rating: 2/5, seeds only worth collection.

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

Other Uses

Excellent for soil stabilization. Ecology & Wildlife: Seeds eaten by ducks and rails; dense mats shelter amphibians.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Identification & Habit: Perennial sedge with sharply triangular stems, no leaves, and small, compact clusters of brown spikelets near the tip. Rhizomes are slender and wiry. Growing Conditions: Prefers shallow water margins or saturated soils, full sun. Moderately tolerant of salinity. Habitat & Range: Coastal and inland wetlands throughout the Americas; common in the Southwest’s saline and freshwater marshes. Size & Landscape Performance: Shorter and finer than tule (Schoenoplectus acutus); excellent for soil stabilization. Schoenoplectus americanus (American threesquare): A sedge-like bulrush: reduced, bristly flowers, no nectar, no attractants. It is predominantly wind-pollinated, with some potential selfing. Insect visits occur but are biologically minor.

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 americanus (American Threesquare)

Native Range

US. USA. Alabama, Alaska, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, British Columbia, California, Chile Central, Chile North, Colorado, Connecticut, Costa Rica, Cuba, Delaware, Dominican Republic, Florida, Georgia, Guatemala, Idaho, Illinois, Jamaica, Kansas, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Netherlands Antilles, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Nicaragua, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Oklahoma, Oregon, Peru, Puerto Rico, Rhode I., South Carolina, Texas, Uruguay, Utah, Venezuela, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming

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.

None Known

Conservation Status

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

IUCN Red List

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Schoenoplectus acutusHardstem BulrushPerennial2.0 3-10 MLMNWeWa403
Schoenoplectus californicusCalifornia BulrushPerennial4.0 7-11 FLMHNMWeWa412
Schoenoplectus californicus tatoraTotoraPerennial2.0 6-10 FLMHSNMWeWa204
Schoenoplectus pungensCommon ThreesquarePerennial1.0 4-10 FLMHNWeWa202
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontaniSoftstem BulrushPerennial2.0 4-10 FLMHNWeWa423

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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Author

(Pers.) Volkart

Botanical References

Links / References

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Subject : Schoenoplectus americanus  
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