UW Burke Herbarium species comparison

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Schoenoplectus pungens

Schoenoplectus americanus

chairmaker's clubrush, common three square

Olney's three-square bulrush
Habit Herbaceous perennials from rhizomes, the culms triangular, 1.5-10 dm. tall, somewhat scattered. Perennial herbs ranging from 0.4-2.5 m; rhizome long, 2-5 mm diameter; stems 3-10 mm diameter, sides 3, deep-concave, edges sharp, faces smooth.
Leaves

Leaves several, all near the base, firm, usually elongate and channeled or folded and 1-2 mm. wide, or flat and 2-4 mm. wide.

Flowers

: Inflorescence a compact cluster of 1-6 sessile spikelets, 7-20 mm. long, subtended by a green bract 2-15 cm. long, like a continuation of the stem;

flowers subtended by thin, translucent scales, yellowish- or reddish-brown to blackish-purple, the mid-rib exerted as a short awn;

perianth bristles 4-6, unequal;

stamens usually 3;

style bifid or trifid.

Fruits

Achenes 2.2-3.3 mm. long, including the stylar beak, and 1.6-2.3 mm. wide.

Schoenoplectus pungens

Schoenoplectus americanus
Flowering time May-August June-August
Habitat Marshes and wet, low ground; tolerent of alkali. Marshes, shores, peatlands, tolerant of alkali.
Distribution
Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Atlantic Coast; Europe.
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington British Columbia to California, east to the Atlantic Coast.
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Origin Native Native
Conservation status Not of concern Not of concern
Sibling taxa
S. acutus, S. americanus, S. heterochaetus, S. ×kuekenthalianus, S. mucronatus, S. saximontanus, S. subterminalis, S. tabernaemontani, S. triqueter
S. acutus, S. heterochaetus, S. ×kuekenthalianus, S. mucronatus, S. pungens, S. saximontanus, S. subterminalis, S. tabernaemontani, S. triqueter
Web links 
Unless otherwise noted, all data comes from the University of Washington's Burke Herbarium.



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