Scirpus cyperinus - Woolly Grass Bulrush

Family:	Cyperaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Saskatchewan, south to Florida and Louisiana.

Scirpus cyperinus (Woolly Grass Bulrush) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Woolly Grass Bulrush will flower in February to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Woolly Grass 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
Woolly Grass Bulrush prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Woolly Grass Bulrush can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Wet low ground[60]. Swamps[235].

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]. A polymorphic species[60].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Seed - cooked. Used as a rice substitute[178].

• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

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 stems are woven to make matting and ropes[178]. The small rushes have been used in making woven mats and storage bags[257]. The fruiting tops of the plant have been used as a resilient material for stuffing and making pillows[257].

• Stuffing - Used in making soft toys, mattresses, pillows 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

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Author: Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Rating: http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher : An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
Date of Publication : 1999

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