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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Scirpus americanus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. pungens. Vahl.

Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Pollen Root Seed Stem
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[172, 257]. Rich in starch. Stem. Peeled and eaten raw or cooked[172]. Stem base - raw or cooked[172]. Pollen[172]. Rich in protein, it can be added to flour when making bread, cakes etc. Seed - cooked. A nutty flavour[172]. The seed can be ground into a powder, mixed with water, boiled and eaten as a mush[257]. The seed is rather small and 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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry Hair Weaving

The leaves, mixed with oil, have been rubbed on a child's head to make the hair grow long and thick[257]. The leaves have been used in making baskets and shopping bags[257]. They have also been woven into hats[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Scirpus acutus	Hard Stem Bulrush	Perennial	2.0	-	F	LMH	SN	MWeWa	3	1	2
Scirpus affinis		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 americanus - Pers.