SEDGES AND RUSHES

Broad leaved Cattail  Typha latifolia

NATIVE

Cattails are rhizomatous perennial plants with long, slender green stalks topped with brown, fluffy, cigar-shaped flowering heads.   The spike is green when young, and becomes brown as it ages.  There is no gap between the upper male flowers and the lower female flower (the cat-tail)on spike.  Cattails are an indicator wetland species that can tolerate flood cycles, and are always found in or near water. 

Hardstem Bulrush, Native Tule Scirpus acutus

NATIVE

Long cylindrical stems from 5 to 8 feet tall leaves are slender, v-shaped blades, flowers are arranged as spikelets and resemble orange brown scales,  Reproduction usually from underground stems. 

Flat Sedge  Cyperus eragrostis

NATIVE

Flat sedges range in height from .4 – 1 meter, and  tolerates pH between 5-9.  It is sometimes referred to as an umbrella sedge.  It prefers wet soil so found close to the water’s edge. This perennial has a greenish-yellow flower that occurs in clusters with stems that are triangular in cross section.. It is an invasive native weed.  

Baltic Rush Juncus balticus

NATIVE

The Inflorescence of the Baltic Rush is 4-6 cm long with flowers that bloom in  May to July.   individual flowers are 4-5 mm long and have 6 stamens and bright pink twisted stigmas.  It is most often found in the areas that are flooded during the rainy season and dry in the fall.  Baltic Rush has been documented to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which makes it important in the nutrient dynamics of wetland plant communities.