Softstem Bulrush
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Is., China, Corse, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Leeward Is., Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norfolk Is., North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sudan-South Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Virgin Islands
Christian Fischer
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Schoenoplectus
- Species:
- Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
- USDA Symbol:
- SCTA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- brown
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Archanara subflava
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, songbirds, muskrats, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire. Fire can help control accumulated litter in wetland stands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, waterlogged, organic soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist to wet
- Notes:
- commonly found in marshes and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in saturated soil or shallow water. Light aids germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds should be cold stratified for 180 days or stored under moist, cold conditions for 5 to 7 months. Alternatively, seeds can be stored dry for 2 to 3 months followed by 3 to 4 months cold, moist stratification treatment.
Establishment: Germination was greater in light than dark. Softstem bulrush is found in marshes and muddy shores at lower elevations and is tolerant of alkali. It is a widespread species throughout temperate North America south into tropical America. In Alaska, it is found south of the central Brooks Range to northern Cook Inlet, then south and east to SE Alaska and the Yukon Territory.
Source: npn.rngr.net