Pendant bulrush

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Pendant bulrush inflorescence

Pendant bulrush spikelets and scales

Pendant bulrush leaves

Pendant bulrush inflorescence

Pendant bulrush leaf

Pendant bulrush spikelets

Pendant bulrush

Pendant bulrush inflorescence

Pendant bulrush

Morphology

Culm

Erect, slender, firm, triangular.

Leaves

5-10, flat, to 1/3 inch wide, firm, pale green, widely separated on culms; margins rough.

Inflorescence

Umbel-like, 6 to 8 inches long, consisting of 1 terminal, sessile cluster of spikelets and several slender-stalked spikelets at ends of umbel rays that frequently droop at maturity; bracts several, leaf-like, brownish.

Spikelet

Numerous, oblong-cylindric, to 2/5 inch long, turning reddish brown with age; flowers perfect; scales ovate, light brown; midribs prominent, green; tips pointed; bristles 6, at bases of flowers, pale, nearly glabrous, about twice as long as achenes; stamens 3; styles 3-cleft.

Fruit

Achenes, oblong, pale brown, short beaked, 1-seeded.

Ecology

Habitat

Marshy or swampy areas, damp prairies and meadows, edges of streams and ponds, and wet ditches.

Distribution

East 2/3 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

Waterfowl eat the seeds.

Additional Notes