FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Leaf sheaths along stems have short cross partitions, looking like joints, and the lower ones are red or purplish, a key feature.
Synonym(s): Scirpus sylvaticus
Description: Medium to tall, erect, perennial, grass-like plant, 0.4 to 1.2 m tall.
Leaves: Leaves in sheaths and blades, separating from flowering stem in intervals nearly to the flowering head; to 60 cm long. Stems rough near flowering umbel.
Flowers/Fruit: Loose branching umbel at tip of flowering stem, with several long leaf-like bracts at its base. Stiff main branches of umbels hold secondarily branching stalks with spikelets, singly or in small groups. Scales on mature spikelets blackish. Flowers and fruits July to September.
Habit and Range: Frequent in mountain (uncommon in the upper Piedmont) marshes, bogs, wet meadows, and sunny low spots along rivers and streams.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Scirpus expansus (woodland bulrush) is similar to Scirpus cyperinus (woolgrass bulrush) which lacks the reddish lower sheaths and spikelets are held on more drooping stalks. Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush) has a similar inflorescence to Scirpus expansus but no noticeable leaves and is much taller.
Click here to view Scirpus cyperinus.
Click here to view Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
