Scirpus validus
Soft-stem bulrush

Soft-stem bulrush might first be noticed as a large colony of stems growing in water, the stems topped by a hanging inflorescence. It is similar to another large native sedge, Scirpus californicus. Like other bulrushes, it is food for wild birds.


Soft-stem bulrush is a bulrush sedge. stems to 8 ft. tall, very rounded triangular, light green, smooth, spongy, to 1 in. wide at base, gradually tapering upward; leaf blades none, just sheaths; inflorescence at stem tip, hanging clusters of spikelets; bract rolled, pointed, appears as a continuation of the stem; spikelets blunt, brown, each spikelet with up to 50 bristly flowers; nutlet bristles barbed, 4-6, narrow

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