Scirpus subterminalis
Torr.
Water Bulrush
gbif· cc0
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga Herbarium (UTC-UCHT)
gbif· cc-by-nc
Loyola University Chicago Herbarium (LUC-)
gbif· cc-by-nc
SUNY Oswego
Description
Scirpus subterminalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.
Edible Uses
Root - raw or cooked. Rich in starch. The plant sometimes forms fleshy terminal tubers up to 3mm thick. The rhizomes are about 1mm thich. Stem. Peeled and eaten raw or cooked. Stem base - raw or cooked. Pollen. Rich in protein, it can be added to flour when making bread, cakes etc. Seed. A nutty flavour. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest and utilize.
Distribution
N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska, south to South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Idaho.
Where It Grows
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, British Columbia), United States (Alaska, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California)
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. This species often forms lawnlike, underwater mats that are entirely vegetative or have only the inflorescences emergent. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any wet to moisture retentive ground, pond margins and shallow water in full sun or shade.
Propagation
Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in 3cm of water. Only just cover the seed with soil. The seed usually germinates fairly quickly. Prick out the plants when large enough to handle and plant out in their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
