Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Fodder - Provides food and cover for waterfowl and other wildlife. Eco-restoration - The strong tubers and rhizomes help stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion. Can be used in wetland restoration projects.
Australia, New Zealand to Northern America, Mexico
Thrives in freshwater wetlands, marshes, riverbanks, pond edges, and wet meadows. Tolerates a wide range of water depths.
It is summer-green perennial forming dense clumps reaching up to 150-250 cm tall.
Stem is erect, sharply triangular in cross-section (trigonous), smooth except for rough patches near the inflorescence, 0.6-0.15 cm in diameter. Grows from stout rhizomes that terminate in tubers.
Leaves are numerous, grass-like, flattened but can be double-folded, tapering towards the tip. Can be longer or shorter than the stems, reaching up to 50 cm long and 0.7-0.11 cm wide. Margins and midrib become rough towards the tip.
Flowers are arranged in a terminal, compound, irregular cluster called an umbel. Has 6-9 unequal rays (2-10 cm long) bearing clusters of 1-6 spikelets. Spikelets are dull red-brown, ovoid or cylindrical, measuring 1-2.5 cm long. Individual flowers are small and inconspicuous.
Fruit is achene (seeds) when matured that drop off individually, urn-shaped with a smooth, gray-brown surface.
Flowering: Summer,
Fruiting: mature in summer and can persist on the plant through winter.