Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Cyperaceae

Genus:

Schoenoplectus

Species:

Schoenoplectus × contortus

USDA Symbol:

SCCO20

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

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 from rhizomes after fire; top growth burns readily but root system survives in wet soils.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

wet, nutrient-rich, silty 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 shallow flooded conditions. Light may improve germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI