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California bulrush facts for kids

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Schoenoplectus californicus
California bulrush
Scirpus californicus flowers 2005-03-24.jpg
Inflorescence
Conservation status

Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Schoenoplectus
Species:
californicus
Synonyms
  • Dichromena atrosanguinea
  • Elytrospermum californicum
  • Malacochaete assimilis
  • Malacochaete chilense
  • Malacochaete oligostachya
  • Malacochaete riparia
  • Malacochaete sanguinolenta
  • Malacochaete tatora
  • Schoenoplectus chamissoi
  • Schoenoplectus pseudotriqueter
  • Schoenoplectus riparius
  • Schoenoplectus tatora
  • Scirpus californicus
  • Scirpus chamissoi
  • Scirpus decipiens
  • Scirpus pseudotriqueter
  • Scirpus rigidus
  • Scirpus tereticulmis

Schoeneoplectus californicus is a species of sedge known by the common names California bulrush, southern bulrush and giant bulrush. It is also sometimes called "tule", but the closely related Schoenoplectus acutus is the species most often referred to by that name.

Description

Schoenoplectus californicus is a rhizomed water plant found in marshy areas. It is native to the southern and western United States as well as Mexico, Central America, South America, Easter Island, and the Falkland Islands. It is naturalized on some Pacific islands including New Zealand, Hawaii and the Cook Islands. It has tall, thin, dark green stems which are usually triangular in cross-section and woolly, bristly tan or brown flowers in panicle inflorescences.

Uses

A notable subspecies is the totora, Schoenoplectus californicus subsp. tatora. This is famous for making up the floating islands on which the Uros people of Lake Titicaca dwell, as well as occurring on isolated Easter Island in the Pacific.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Schoenoplectus californicus para niños

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