Species Overview

There are several native aquatic bulrushes in Florida, often found growing in large colonies in water. Bulrush seeds are eaten by many kinds of birds. Bulrushes are often seen as tall, leafless stems growing in profusion, however there are several small and leafy bulrushes in Florida. Bulrushes are eaten by ducks and other wildlife.

Scirpus species occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands.

View the herbarium specimen image from the University of Florida Herbarium Digital Imaging Projects.

Species Characteristics

Bulrushes are bulrush sedges. stems sharply- to softly-triangular; leaves in some species reduced to sheaths, in other species there are many obvious leaf blades; inflorescences always on stem tips, compound, much branched, tight cluster or spreading open; bracts sometimes leaf-like or sometimes resembling stems.

Impacts