Scirpus americanus - American Bulrush

Family:	Cyperaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:	S. pungens. Vahl.
Range:	S. W. Europe, including Britain, south and east from the Netherlands to Belgium, Germany and Italy.

Scirpus americanus (American Bulrush) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
American Bulrush will flower in December to January. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

American Bulrush will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
American Bulrush prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

American Bulrush can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Margins of ponds near the sea[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any wet to moisture retentive ground, pond margins and shallow water in full sun or shade[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - raw or cooked[172, 257]. Rich in starch. Stem. Peeled and eaten raw or cooked[172]. Stem base - raw or cooked[172]. Pollen[172]. Rich in protein, it can be added to flour when making bread, cakes etc. Seed - cooked. A nutty flavour[172]. The seed can be ground into a powder, mixed with water, boiled and eaten as a mush[257]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest and utilize.

• Pollen -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

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[200]. 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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The leaves, mixed with oil, have been rubbed on a child's head to make the hair grow long and thick[257]. The leaves have been used in making baskets and shopping bags[257]. They have also been woven into hats[257].

• Basketry - Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
• Hair - Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
• Weaving - Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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