Common Threesquare
Schoenoplectus pungens
- Native to:
- Argentina, Australia, Austria, Baltic States, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chatham Is., Chile, Czechia-Slovakia, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay
Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Schoenoplectus
- Species:
- Schoenoplectus pungens
- USDA Symbol:
- SCPU10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- brown, green
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, shorebirds, muskrats
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Often increases in density post-burn in wetland margins.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in saturated or shallowly flooded conditions. Light may enhance germination.