© W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC-BY) · iNaturalist
Bolboschoenus spp.
sea clubrush
Cosmopolitan temperate and subtropical wetlands
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Bolboschoenus spp. is a genus of rhizomatous sedges in the family Cyperaceae, found in wetlands across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide. The plants spread by creeping rhizomes that bear small rounded tubers, forming colonies in marshes, ditches, lake margins, and brackish coastal wetlands. The most widespread species, Bolboschoenus maritimus, called sea clubrush, sends up sharply three-angled stems 16-60 inches (40-150 cm) tall, with a few long, keeled, grass-like leaves. In summer the stems carry a cluster of brown, egg-shaped spikelets, subtended by leaf-like bracts that extend beyond the flower head. The flowers are wind-pollinated and produce hard, dark nutlets. Bolboschoenus spp. tolerates standing water, fluctuating levels, and a wide range of salinity, from fresh to brackish. The tuber-bearing rhizomes let colonies persist and regrow after disturbance, which can make the genus a difficult weed of rice fields and irrigation channels. In suitable wet ground the spreading habit fills space quickly and can crowd out less vigorous plants.
Native Range
Distributed nearly worldwide in temperate and subtropical wetlands. Bolboschoenus maritimus occurs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, and the Americas in salt marshes, brackish lagoons, ditches, and freshwater margins.Suggested Uses
Grown in pond margins, constructed wetlands, and salt-marsh and habitat restoration plantings, where it stabilises wet soil and gives cover and seed for wetland birds. The tubers and nutlets are a food source for waterfowl.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'4" - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Brown spikelets are produced in summer, roughly June to August. The wind-pollinated flowers are not showy. Hard nutlets ripen later and can persist on the stems into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Bolboschoenus spp. grows in full sun in shallow standing water, saturated soil, and pond or marsh margins, tolerating both fresh and brackish conditions. Plants spread rapidly by tuberous rhizomes and form dense stands. In water gardens and ponds the spread needs containment, such as planting in submerged baskets. Propagation is by division of the rhizomes or by seed. Cutting stems below the waterline repeatedly can weaken unwanted colonies over time.Pruning
No formal pruning is needed. Old stems are cut back in late autumn or late winter as they die down. Spread is limited by lifting and dividing congested clumps or by confining the roots.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons