Hardstem bulrush (Plants of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque)

Hardstem bulrush

Schoenoplectus acutus

Summary ⁷

Schoenoplectus acutus is a giant form of sedge that is native to freshwater marshlands across North America. Common names include tule, common tule, hardstem tule, tule rush, hardstem bulrush, or viscid bulrush. The plant grows with a green round stem and produces grass-like leaves and pale brownish flowers.

Botanical Information ⁷

Schoenoplectus acutus, also known as hardstem bullrush or tule, comes from a family called Cyperaceace. Hardstem bullrush can grow up to 10 feet tall and create thick stands. It is found in freshwater areas throughout North America. The stems are thick, grow upward, and can be different shades of green. Small leaves can be found at the base. At the top of the stem there are 3 to 10 spikes with 50 or more brown to tan spikelets. This plant can spread by seed and by rhizomes. The seeds are fully formed late in the summer. I picked this plant because I like how it looks and its a pretty plant.

Ecological Information ⁷

The habitat for hardstem bullrush is wetlands and in elevations below 7500 ft. Waterfowl and wetland birds eat the seeds as well as use the thick stands for nesting. Muskrats build their shelters out of the steams and will eat the young shoots and roots. Hardstem bullrush helps stabilize soil and protects from erosion on banks and shorelines. The bacteria that lives in the rhizome roots help clean polluted waters.

Ethnobotanical Information ⁷

Hardstem bullrush young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked and the unripe flowers and roots can be boiled like a vegetable. The stems were used in making shoes, clothing, baskets, mats, mattresses, and temporary shelters. According to the USDA NRCS, the Cree would use the stem medicinally as a poultice to stop bleeding. (Note: Ethnobotanical reports often lack important contextual information and relevant traditional ecological knowledge.)

References ⁸

Hagstrom, J. (2005). Schoenoplectus acutus (Muhlenberg ex Bigelow) A. Love & D. Love (hard-stemmed bulrush). The Morton Arboretum. Retrieved December 7, 2021, from https://acorn.mortonarb.org/Detail/objects/76173

United States Department of Agriculture. (2014). Schoenoplectus acutus. In
PLANTS Database. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=SCAC3

About the Author ⁷

Student author(s)*: Yessi from South Valley Academy

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/7009840937/
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/7009841131/
(c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/7457894@N04/1527128096
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/27916348892/
(c) Tony Frates, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyfrates/7606410106/
(c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/8041915994/
Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by Kiley Spurlock from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNat Map

Type	grass
Native	yes
Life cycle	perennial
Uses	Building/Tool Making, Edible/Medicinal, Water Treatment and Erosion Control
Habitat	Wetland

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