Schoenoplectus acutus

Hardstem Bulrush

Flickr photo 'tule, Schoenoplectus acutus var. occidentalis' by: Jim Morefield.

Flickr photo 'Hardstem Bulrush' by: Drew Avery.

Flickr photos above were identified by the individual photographers but not reviewed by EoPS. Contact us to report errors.

Species group: Plants

Found in: Plants and lichens of Puget Trough

Data Sources

Classification

Kingdom:

Plantae

Phylum:

Anthophyta

Class:

Monocotyledoneae

Order:

Cyperales

Family:

Cyperaceae

Genus:

Schoenoplectus

Encyclopedia of Life

For more info, visit:

Source:
http://eol.org/pages/5777729/details

Distribution
Morphology
Diagnostic Description
Habitat
General Ecology
Cyclicity
Molecular Biology
Conservation Status
Management

Distribution

Occurrence in North America

     AZ AR CA CO CT DE ID IL IN IA
     KS KY ME MD MA MI MN MO MT NE
     NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR
     PA RI SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV
     WI WY AB BC MB NB NF NS ON PQ
     SK

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Distribution

Hardstem bulrush occurs from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland west to
southern British Columbia and south to North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas,
and California [27,45,51].

References:

27. Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas. 1392 p. [1603]
45. Larson, Gary E. 1993. Aquatic and wetland vascular plants of the Northern Great Plains. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-238. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 681 p. [22534]
51. Munz, Philip A. 1973. A California flora and supplement. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1905 p. [6155]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

More info on this topic.

This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

    1 Northern Pacific Border
    2 Cascade Mountains
    3 Southern Pacific Border
    4 Sierra Mountains
    5 Columbia Plateau
    6 Upper Basin and Range
    8 Northern Rocky Mountains
    9 Middle Rocky Mountains
   10 Wyoming Basin
   11 Southern Rocky Mountains
   12 Colorado Plateau
   13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
   14 Great Plains
   16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Localities documented in Tropicos sources

Schoenoplectus acutus (Muhl. ex Bigelow) Á. Löve & D. Löve:
Canada (North America)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

References:

Smith, G. S. & G. Yatskievych. 1996. Notes on the genus Scirpus sensu lato in Missouri. Rhodora 98(894): 168–179.
Gonzalez. 2007. Sinopsis de Scirpus s.l. (Cyperaceae) para México. Acta Bot. Mex. 82: 15–41.

Source:

Missouri Botanical Garden

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Rights Holder:

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA

National Distribution

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Source:

NatureServe

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Rights Holder:

NatureServe

Morphology

Description

More info for the term: graminoid

Hardstem bulrush is a native, perennial graminoid. Culms are slender
and erect, usually 3.3 to 10 feet (1-3 m) tall, but occasionally
reaching heights of 16.5 feet (5 m) [24,27,38,45,48]. Leaves are
reduced to basal sheaths with blades up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long [51].
Hardstem bulrush is densely colonial from extensive, stout rhizomes
[29,38,45,48,51].

References:

24. Gleason, Henry A.; Cronquist, Arthur. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. 2nd ed. New York: New York Botanical Garden. 910 p. [20329]
27. Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas. 1392 p. [1603]
29. Hansen, Paul L.; Chadde, Steve W.; Pfister, Robert D. 1988. Riparian dominance types of Montana. Misc. Publ. No. 49. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 411 p. [5660]
38. Hurd, Emerenciana G.; Shaw, Nancy L.; Smithman, Lynda C. 1994. Cyperaceae and Juncaceae--selected low-elevation species. In: Monsen, Stephen B.; Kitchen, Stanley G., compilers. Proceedings--ecology and management of annual rangelands; 1992 May 18-22; Boise, ID. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-313. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station: 380-383. [24314]
45. Larson, Gary E. 1993. Aquatic and wetland vascular plants of the Northern Great Plains. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-238. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 681 p. [22534]
48. Mason, Herbert L. 1957. A flora of the marshes of California. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 878 p. [16905]
51. Munz, Philip A. 1973. A California flora and supplement. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1905 p. [6155]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Description

Rhizomes 5–15 mm diam. Culms cylindric, 1–4 m × 2–10 mm. Leaves 3–4, all basal; sheaths often dark reddish proximally, front membranous-translucent and splitting, orifice adaxially deeply V-shaped; blades 1–2, C-shaped to dorsiventrally flat in cross section, usually much shorter than sheath, distal blade 8–120 × 3–7 mm, margins often scabridulous. Inflorescences 2(–3) times branched, open or compact, branches 6(–18) cm; proximal bract usually erect, thickly C-shaped in cross section, 1–9 cm, margins sometimes scabridulous. Spikelets 3–190, solitary or in clusters of 2–8, never all solitary; scales reddish to orange-brown to straw-colored, often variable on same scale, usually wholly or partly straw-colored and prominently lineolate-spotted at 10X, scale or midrib often green when young, ovate, 3–4 × 2–3 mm, sparsely to often densely reddish or straw-colored spinulose-papillose distally or on most of surface, margins ciliate, hairs long, contorted, flanks veinless, apex acute to obtuse, notch 0.3–0.5 mm deep, awn on at least some scales in spikelet usually strongly contorted, 0.5–2 mm (often broken off). Flowers: perianth members (4–)6(–8), brown, bristlelike, equaling achene body or sometimes much shorter, rarely rudimentary, spinulose; anthers 2 mm; styles 2(–3)-fid. Achenes dark gray-brown, plano-convex or rarely weakly trigonous, obovoid, (1.5–)2–3 ´ 1.2–1.7 mm; beak 0.2–0.4 mm.

Source:

Missouri Botanical Garden

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Rights Holder:

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA

Diagnostic Description

Synonym

Scirpus acutus Muhlenberg ex Bigelow, Fl. Boston, 15. 1814

Source:

Missouri Botanical Garden

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Rights Holder:

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA

Habitat

Habitat characteristics

More info for the term: fresh

Hardstem bulrush grows best on sites with saturated soil or standing
water for most of the year. It occurs in marshes, swamps, seeps,
washes, floodplains, along lake and stream margins, and in wet meadows
[27,35,38,44,82]. It grows in fresh or brackish water [18,45,51,57].
Soils are usually poorly drained [18,76] or continually saturated
[4,9,15,56]. Hardstem bulrush can grow in areas where the water table
is up to 5 feet (1.5 m) above or 0.33 feet (0.1 m) below the soil
surface [29,36,56,76]. In Montana hardstem bulrush is an obligate
wetland species [4] and an indicator of relatively stable water
conditions (areas where free water remains in the rooting zone for at
least part of the growing season and can be periodically flooded up to
6.6 feet [2 m]) [56]. In Utah hardstem bulrush is subordinate to Olney
threesquare because of limitations in salinity tolerance, shallow water,
and competitiveness [5]. Hardstem bulrush is fairly drought tolerant;
it can persist through several years of dry conditions [29]. Hardstem
bulrush grows in silt loam, clay, sandy loam, gravel, marl, and peaty
soils [12,29,33,38,76].

Elevations for hardstem bulrush are as follows:

feet meters

Arizona                        2,500-9,000         750-2,700    [41]
California                    less than 5,000-8,500      less than 1,500-2,550    [51]
Colorado                       3,500-9,000       1,050-2,700    [32,90]
Montana                        2,180-6,650         665-2,028    [4,31]
Oregon                         4,125-4,224       1,250-1,280    [88]
Utah                           3,620-8,800       1,097-2,640    [82,90]
Wyoming                        6,500-7,000       1,950-2,100    [90]
Yellowstone National Park      5,990-6,633       1,815-2,010    [8]
Saskatchewan                   1,650-2,640         500-800      [77]

References:

4. Boggs, Keith; Hansen, Paul; Pfister, Robert; Joy, John. 1990. Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in northwestern Montana. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, Montana Riparian Association. 217 p. Draft Version 1. [8447]
82. Welsh, Stanley L.; Atwood, N. Duane; Goodrich, Sherel; Higgins, Larry C., eds. 1987. A Utah flora. Great Basin Naturalist Memoir No. 9. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University. 894 p. [2944]
41. Kearney, Thomas H.; Peebles, Robert H.; Howell, John Thomas; McClintock, Elizabeth. 1960. Arizona flora. 2d ed. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1085 p. [6563]
5. Bolen, Eric G. 1964. Plant ecology of spring-fed salt marshes in western Utah. Ecological Monographs. 34(2): 143-166. [11214]
9. Brotherson, Jack D. 1981. Aquatic and semiaquatic vegetation of Utah Lake and its bays. Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs. 5: 68-84. [11212]
12. Castaner, David; LaPlante, David. 1992. The vegetation of Little Bean Marsh. Transactions, Missouri Academy of Science. 26: 27-34. [25183]
15. Dabbs, Don L. 1971. A study of Scirpus acutus and Scirpus validus in the Saskatchewan River delta. Canadian Journal of Botany. 49: 143-153. [25184]
18. Evans, Keith E.; Kerbs, Roger R. 1977. Avian use of livestock watering ponds in western South Dakota. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-35. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 11 p. [19330]
27. Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas. 1392 p. [1603]
29. Hansen, Paul L.; Chadde, Steve W.; Pfister, Robert D. 1988. Riparian dominance types of Montana. Misc. Publ. No. 49. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 411 p. [5660]
31. Hansen, Paul; Pfister, Robert; Joy, John; [and others]
32. Harrington, H. D. 1964. Manual of the plants of Colorado. 2d ed. Chicago: The Swallow Press Inc. 666 p. [6851]
33. Harris, Stanley W. 1954. An ecological study of the waterfowl of the Potholes Area, Grant County, Washington. American Midland Naturalist. 52(2): 403-432. [11207]
35. Hickman, James C., ed. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1400 p. [21992]
36. Hitchcock, C. Leo; Cronquist, Arthur. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. 730 p. [1168]
38. Hurd, Emerenciana G.; Shaw, Nancy L.; Smithman, Lynda C. 1994. Cyperaceae and Juncaceae--selected low-elevation species. In: Monsen, Stephen B.; Kitchen, Stanley G., compilers. Proceedings--ecology and management of annual rangelands; 1992 May 18-22; Boise, ID. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-313. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station: 380-383. [24314]
44. Lackschewitz, Klaus. 1991. Vascular plants of west-central Montana--identification guidebook. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-227. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 648 p. [13798]
45. Larson, Gary E. 1993. Aquatic and wetland vascular plants of the Northern Great Plains. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-238. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 681 p. [22534]
51. Munz, Philip A. 1973. A California flora and supplement. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1905 p. [6155]
56. Pierce, John; Johnson, Janet. 1986. Wetland community type classification for west-central Montana. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Region, Ecosystem Management Program. 158 p. [Review draft]
57. Porter, Duncan M. 1979. Rare and endangered vascular plant species in Virginia. Newton Corner, MA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 52 p. [16514]
76. Voss, Edward G. 1972. Michigan flora. Part I. Gymnosperms and monocots. Bloomfield Hills, MI: Cranbrook Institute of Science; Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Herbarium. 488 p. [11471]
77. Walker, B. H.; Coupland, R. T. 1970. Herbaceous wetland vegetation in the aspen grove and grassland regions of Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Botany. 48: 1861-1878. [23547]
88. Young, Richard P. 1986. Fire ecology and management in plant communities of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Portland, OR: Oregon State University. 169 p. Thesis. [3745]
90. Dittberner, Phillip L.; Olson, Michael R. 1983. The plant information network (PIN) data base: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. FWS/OBS-83/86. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 786 p. [806]
8. Brichta, Paul Harold. 1986. Environmental relationships among wetland community types of the northern range, Yellowstone National Park. Missoula, MT: University of Montana. 74 p. Thesis. [6727]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Key Plant Community Associations

More info for the terms: fen, marsh, natural

Hardstem bulrush often forms monocultures in marshes throughout its
range [17,76,88]. It is a member of sandhill, spring fen, graminoid
fen, and wet meadow communities [6,11,17,70].

In California hardstem bulrush is a member of montane, coastal, and
valley freshwater marsh communities. Common associates include Olney
threesquare (Scirpus americanus), California bulrush (S. californicus),
slenderbeak sedge (Carex athrostachya), Nebraska sedge (C. nebracensis),
swamp carex (C. senta), cottonsedge (Eriophorum spp.), common reed
(Phragmites australis), and yellow nutgrass (Cyperus esculentus)
[37,83]. In the western and central United States, a common cattail
(Typha latifolia)-hardstem bulrush habitat type has been described
[1,10,73].

In Montana hardstem bulrush habitat, dominance, and riparian types have
been described [4,29,31]. Common associates include softstem bulrush,
beaked sedge (Carex rostrata), seaside arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima),
common spikesedge (Eleocharis palustris), and common buckbean
(Menyanthes trifoliata). In Utah hardstem bulrush is commonly
associated with saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpus maritimus), alkali bulrush
(S. paludosus), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and sago pondweed
(Potamogeton pectinatus) [5,7,10,66].

In North Dakota hardstem bulrush is dominant in marshes and meadows.
Associates include whitetop (Scolochloa festucacea), common cattail, and
common reed [17,46]. In Minnesota hardstem bulrush occurs in emergent
marshes with river bulrush (Scirpus fluviatilis), giant burreed
(Sparganium eurycarpus), prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), and
marsh groundsel (Senecio congestus) [34,72].

In Canada hardstem bulrush is found in the Delta Marsh of Manitoba
[52,54]. It is also found in marshes and basins in Saskatchewan and
Alberta [16,77].

The following publications list hardstem bulrush as a community dominant
or codominant:

Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in
northwestern Montana [4]
Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in central
and eastern Montana [28]
Riparian dominance types of Montana [29]
Classification and management of riparian sites in southwestern Montana
[31]
Preliminary descriptions of terrestrial natural communities of
California [37]
Wetland community type classification for west-central Montana [56]
Classification of aquatic and semiaquatic wetland natural areas in Idaho
and western Montana [58]

References:

4. Boggs, Keith; Hansen, Paul; Pfister, Robert; Joy, John. 1990. Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in northwestern Montana. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, Montana Riparian Association. 217 p. Draft Version 1. [8447]
5. Bolen, Eric G. 1964. Plant ecology of spring-fed salt marshes in western Utah. Ecological Monographs. 34(2): 143-166. [11214]
1. Anderson, Bertin W.; Ohmart, Robert D.; Meents, Julie K.; Hunter, William C. 1984. Avian use of marshes on the lower Colorado River. In: Warner, Richard E.; Hendrix, Kathleen M., eds. California riparian systems: Ecology, conservation, and productive management: Proceedings of a conference; 1981 September 17-19; Davis, CA. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press: 598-604. [5861]
6. Bomberger, Mary L. 1984. Quantitative assessment of the nesting habitat of Wilson's phalarope. Wilson Bulletin. 96(1): 126-128. [11426]
7. Bray, Martin Paul. 1984. An evaluation of heron and egret marsh nesting habitat and possible effects of burning. Murrelet. 65: 57-59. [6875]
10. Capen, David E.; Low, Jessop B. 1980. Management considerations for nongame birds in western wetlands. In: DeGraaf, Richard M., technical coordinator. Management of western forests and grasslands for nongame birds: Workshop proceedings; 1980 February 11-14; Salt Lake City, UT. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-86. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station: 67-77. [17898]
11. Carpenter, Quentin J.; DeWitt, Calvin B. 1993. The effects of ant mounds and animal trails on vegetation pattern in calcareous fens. Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. 81: 23-30. [23453]
16. Dirschl, German J.; Dabbs, Don L.; Gentle, Garry C. 1974. Landscape classification and plant successional trends in the Peace-Athabasca Delta. Canadian Wildlife Service Report Series 30. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Wildlife Service. 33 p. [6177]
17. Dix, R. L.; Smeins, F. E. 1967. The prairie, meadow, and marsh vegetation of Nelson County, North Dakota. Canadian Journal of Botany. 45: 21-58. [5528]
28. Hansen, Paul; Boggs, Keith; Pfister, Robert; Joy, John. 1990. Classification and management of riparian and wetland sites in central and eastern Montana. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, Montana Riparian Association. 279 p. [12477]
29. Hansen, Paul L.; Chadde, Steve W.; Pfister, Robert D. 1988. Riparian dominance types of Montana. Misc. Publ. No. 49. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 411 p. [5660]
31. Hansen, Paul; Pfister, Robert; Joy, John; [and others]
34. Harris, Stanley W.; Marshall, William H. 1963. Ecology of water-level manipulations on a northern marsh. Ecology. 44(2): 331-343. [17808]
37. Holland, Robert F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish and Game. 156 p. [12756]
46. Lokemoen, John T.; Duebbert, Harold F.; Sharp, David E. 1990. Homing and reproductive habits of mallards, gadwalls, and blue-winged teal. Wildlife Monographs. 106: 1-28. [18102]
52. Nelson, Jeffrey W.; Kadlec, John A.; Murkin, Henry R. 1990. Seasonal comparisons of weight loss for two types of Typha glauca Godr. leaf litter. Aquatic Botany. 37(4): 299-314. [17426]
54. Pederson, Roger L. 1981. Seed bank characteristics of the Delta Marsh, Manitoba: applications for wetland management. In: Richardson, B., ed. Midwest conference on wetland values and management: Selected proceedings; 1981 June 17-19; St. Paul, MN. Minneapolis, MN: Freshwater Society: 61-69. [24016]
56. Pierce, John; Johnson, Janet. 1986. Wetland community type classification for west-central Montana. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Region, Ecosystem Management Program. 158 p. [Review draft]
58. Rabe, Fred W.; Chadde, Steve W. 1994. Classification of aquatic and semiaquatic wetland natural areas in Idaho and western Montana. Natural Areas Journal. 14(3): 175-187. [23962]
66. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1985. Fire and herbivory in a Great Salt Lake marsh. Ecology. 66(1): 259-265. [7619]
70. Stoynoff, Nick A. 1993. A quantitative analysis of the vegetation of Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve. Transactions, Illinois State Academy of Science. 63(3&4): 93-110. [23734]
72. Tester, John R.; Marshall, William H. 1962. Minnesota prairie management techniques and their wildlife implications. Proceedings, 27th North American Wildlife Conference. 27: 267-287. [14960]
73. Thorn, Terri D.; Zwank, Phillip J. 1993. Foods of migrating cinnamon teal in central New Mexico. Journal of Field Ornithology. 64(4): 452-463. [25185]
76. Voss, Edward G. 1972. Michigan flora. Part I. Gymnosperms and monocots. Bloomfield Hills, MI: Cranbrook Institute of Science; Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Herbarium. 488 p. [11471]
77. Walker, B. H.; Coupland, R. T. 1970. Herbaceous wetland vegetation in the aspen grove and grassland regions of Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Botany. 48: 1861-1878. [23547]
83. Whitlow, Thomas H.; Harris, Richard W.; Leiser, Andrew T. 1984. Experimenting with levee vegetation: some unexpected findings. In: Warner, Richard E.; Hendrix, Kathleen M., eds. California riparian systems: Ecology, conservation, and productive management: Proceedings of a conference; 1981 September 17-19; Davis, CA. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press: 558-565. [5858]
88. Young, Richard P. 1986. Fire ecology and management in plant communities of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Portland, OR: Oregon State University. 169 p. Thesis. [3745]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Habitat: Plant Associations

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

K049 Tule marshes

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Habitat: Ecosystem

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

   FRES37 Mountain meadows
   FRES38 Plains grasslands
   FRES39 Prairie
   FRES41 Wet grasslands

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Habitat: Rangeland Cover Types

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following Rangeland Cover Types (as classified by the Society for Range Management, SRM):

   216 Montane meadows
   217 Wetlands
   422 Riparian

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

General Ecology

Fire Management Implications

More info for the term: litter

Prescribed fires reduce the amount of litter in hardstem bulrush stands,
which may increase hardstem bulrush productivity.

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Season/Severity Classification

late fall/moderate-high severity
early spring/moderate-high severity

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Fire Management Considerations

More info for the term: marsh

Burning dead hardstem bulrush stands may have a negative effect on
breeding herons and egrets [7]. Herons and egrets use dead hardstem
bulrush stems as nesting material. On the Bear River Migratory Bird
Refuge, fire eliminated all dead hardstem bulrush stems. Live stems may
be utilized later in the nesting season. Herons and egrets have been
reported to abandon traditional colonial nest sites that have been
burned [91]; thus, burning dead stands may have a negative effect on
breeding herons and egrets [7].

Wetland vertebrates may select certain marsh plant species due to
protein increases following fire [66].

The effects of fire and grazing on wetland plants after drawdowns in
Utah's Great Salt Lake Marsh were studied [65,66,68]. Five acres (2 ha)
were prescribed burned on September 2, 1981, then reflooded 1 week
later. Data were recorded in areas grazed by waterfowl and muskrats,
and in exclosures protected from grazing. Mean annual production (g/sq
m/yr) +/- SD of hardstem bulrush (S. acutus and S. validus were both
referred to as S. lacustris) under grazed and burned treatments was
measured from May to August 1982. Results were as follows [66]:

burned unburned

grazed 915 +/- 366 1084 +/- 495
ungrazed 1559 +/- 811 1556 +/- 684

The effect of prescribed burning on hardstem bulrush standing crop was
minimal. The total annual production of the hardstem bulrush vegetation
type after fire was not significantly different (P >.10) than the
production of these types in unburned areas. Grazing, however, had a
significant impact (P less than .05) on production in hardstem bulrush stands.
Grazing significantly reduced the total annual production of the
hardstem bulrush type within the burned sites [66,68]. Roots and
rhizome numbers were lower on the burned than unburned units, but
mortality was not great enough to significantly reduce total
productivity [68].

References:

7. Bray, Martin Paul. 1984. An evaluation of heron and egret marsh nesting habitat and possible effects of burning. Murrelet. 65: 57-59. [6875]
65. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1983. Seed banks and their role during drawdown of a North American marsh. Journal of Applied Ecology. 20: 673-684. [11196]
66. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1985. Fire and herbivory in a Great Salt Lake marsh. Ecology. 66(1): 259-265. [7619]
68. Smith, Loren Michael. 1983. Effects of prescribed burning on the ecology of a Utah marsh. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 159 p. Dissertation. [10218]
91. Giles, LeRoy W.; Marshall, David B. 1954. A large heron and egret colony on the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area, Nevada. Auk. 71: 322-325. [24971]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Plant Response to Fire

More info for the term: root crown

Hardstem bulrush sprouts from rhizomes following fire [65,66], and
probably sprouts from the root crown as well. It establishes from
buried seed or seed dispersed onto burned sites [29,34,55,65].
Inflorescence production may increase for at least 1 postfire year [88].
Fire increases protein content in sprouting hardstem bulrush [67].

At the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah, herons and egrets nest
almost exclusively in dead hardstem bulrush stands. Green and dead stem
densities (mean +/- SE) were studied on a March 1981 prescribed burn
site and on unburned nesting colony sites. The results are as follows
[7]:

site green stems/sq m dead stems/sq m

Burn, postfire month 4              38.3 +/- 3.2              0
Burn, postfire month 16             52.6 +/- 2.5         34.7 +/- 2.7
Great blue heron colony             43.5 +/- 4.1         59.0 +/- 6.5
Black-crowned night heron colony    41.7 +/- 3.2         65.2 +/- 4.9
Snowy egret colonies                59.4 +/- 5.          80.2 +/- 7.2

References:

7. Bray, Martin Paul. 1984. An evaluation of heron and egret marsh nesting habitat and possible effects of burning. Murrelet. 65: 57-59. [6875]
29. Hansen, Paul L.; Chadde, Steve W.; Pfister, Robert D. 1988. Riparian dominance types of Montana. Misc. Publ. No. 49. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 411 p. [5660]
34. Harris, Stanley W.; Marshall, William H. 1963. Ecology of water-level manipulations on a northern marsh. Ecology. 44(2): 331-343. [17808]
55. Pederson, Roger L.; van der Valk, Arnold G. 1984. Vegetation change and seed banks in marshes: ecological and management implications. Transactions, North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. 49: 271-280. [19512]
65. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1983. Seed banks and their role during drawdown of a North American marsh. Journal of Applied Ecology. 20: 673-684. [11196]
66. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1985. Fire and herbivory in a Great Salt Lake marsh. Ecology. 66(1): 259-265. [7619]
67. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1984. Effects of prescribed burning on nutritive quality of marsh plants in Utah. Journal of Wildlife Management. 48(1): 285-288. [24982]
88. Young, Richard P. 1986. Fire ecology and management in plant communities of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Portland, OR: Oregon State University. 169 p. Thesis. [3745]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Immediate Effect of Fire

Hardstem bulrush is top-killed or killed by most fires [7,65,88].

References:

7. Bray, Martin Paul. 1984. An evaluation of heron and egret marsh nesting habitat and possible effects of burning. Murrelet. 65: 57-59. [6875]
65. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1983. Seed banks and their role during drawdown of a North American marsh. Journal of Applied Ecology. 20: 673-684. [11196]
88. Young, Richard P. 1986. Fire ecology and management in plant communities of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Portland, OR: Oregon State University. 169 p. Thesis. [3745]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Post-fire Regeneration

More info for the terms: ground residual colonizer, rhizome, secondary colonizer

   Rhizomatous herb, rhizome in soil
   Ground residual colonizer (on-site, initial community)
   Secondary colonizer - on-site seed
   Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Fire Ecology

More info for the term: marsh

Hardstem bulrush sprouts from rhizomes following fire [65,66]. After a
prescribed fire in the Great Salt Lake Marsh, Utah, on September 2,
1981, hardstem bulrush sprouts were 1.6 feet (0.5 m) tall before winter
freeze-up [68]. This fire occurred during an extended drought.
Postfire regeneration included germination from buried seed [65], and
probably also germination of off-site seed dispersed by wind and water.

References:

65. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1983. Seed banks and their role during drawdown of a North American marsh. Journal of Applied Ecology. 20: 673-684. [11196]
66. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1985. Fire and herbivory in a Great Salt Lake marsh. Ecology. 66(1): 259-265. [7619]
68. Smith, Loren Michael. 1983. Effects of prescribed burning on the ecology of a Utah marsh. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 159 p. Dissertation. [10218]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Successional Status

More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: litter, sere, shrubs, succession, swamp

Hardstem bulrush is a dominant emergent on moist and saturated sites in
the northern plains and prairie states [13,40,54,72]. In Montana
hardstem bulrush colonizes newly exposed mudflats and drawdown areas
[29]. In Saskatchewan hardstem bulrush is one of the earliest rooted
macrophytes to invade flooded areas [15].

After hardstem bulrush becomes established in the hardstem bulrush
riparian site type in Montana, most other plant species are precluded
because of the saturated conditions and hardstem bulrush aggressiveness
[31]. Hardstem bulrush forms a stable dominance type on sites with
relatively constant water regimes; permanent standing water may result
in compositional shifts toward sedges (Carex spp.) [29].

In marl-bed vegetation of the Byron-Bergen Swamp of New York, hardstem
bulrush is dominant but may be replaced by shrubby cinquefoil
(Potentilla fruticosa) with accumulated litter [62].

Hardstem bulrush is found in the third sere of succession in Wisconsin
marshes, preceded by submerged and floating plant stages and followed by
sedge meadows, shrubs, and trees [20].

References:

13. Cooper, James A. 1978. The history and breeding biology of the Canada geese of Marshy Point, Manitoba. Wildlife Monographs No. 61. Washington, DC: The Wildlife Society. 87 p. [18122]
15. Dabbs, Don L. 1971. A study of Scirpus acutus and Scirpus validus in the Saskatchewan River delta. Canadian Journal of Botany. 49: 143-153. [25184]
20. Frolik, A. L. 1941. Vegetation on the peat lands of Dane County, Wisconsin. Ecological Monographs. 11(1): 117-140. [16805]
29. Hansen, Paul L.; Chadde, Steve W.; Pfister, Robert D. 1988. Riparian dominance types of Montana. Misc. Publ. No. 49. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 411 p. [5660]
31. Hansen, Paul; Pfister, Robert; Joy, John; [and others]
40. Kantrud, Harold A.; Millar, John B.; van der Valk, A. G. 1989. Vegetation of wetlands of the prairie pothole region. In: van der Valk, Arnold, ed. Northern prairie wetlands. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press: 132-187. [15217]
54. Pederson, Roger L. 1981. Seed bank characteristics of the Delta Marsh, Manitoba: applications for wetland management. In: Richardson, B., ed. Midwest conference on wetland values and management: Selected proceedings; 1981 June 17-19; St. Paul, MN. Minneapolis, MN: Freshwater Society: 61-69. [24016]
62. Seischab, Franz K. 1984. Plant community development in the Byron-Bergen Swamp: marl-bed vegetation. Canadian Journal of Botany. 62: 1006-1017. [23731]
72. Tester, John R.; Marshall, William H. 1962. Minnesota prairie management techniques and their wildlife implications. Proceedings, 27th North American Wildlife Conference. 27: 267-287. [14960]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Regeneration Processes

More info for the term: adventitious

Sexual reproduction: Hardstem bulrush reproduces by seed [29,54,56].
Seed is dispersed by wind and water [29,55,56,65]. It establishes well
from seed stored in the seedbank [34,54,55]. Hardstem bulrush seed
establishes and germinates best on moist, bare soil [29,56], but will
germinate submerged in up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) of water in the
laboratory [65].

Vegetative reproduction: Hardstem bulrush reproduces from rhizomes
[51,62]. Adventitious shoots may arise from rhizomes that have extended
into pools from the littoral zone [62].

References:

29. Hansen, Paul L.; Chadde, Steve W.; Pfister, Robert D. 1988. Riparian dominance types of Montana. Misc. Publ. No. 49. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 411 p. [5660]
34. Harris, Stanley W.; Marshall, William H. 1963. Ecology of water-level manipulations on a northern marsh. Ecology. 44(2): 331-343. [17808]
51. Munz, Philip A. 1973. A California flora and supplement. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1905 p. [6155]
54. Pederson, Roger L. 1981. Seed bank characteristics of the Delta Marsh, Manitoba: applications for wetland management. In: Richardson, B., ed. Midwest conference on wetland values and management: Selected proceedings; 1981 June 17-19; St. Paul, MN. Minneapolis, MN: Freshwater Society: 61-69. [24016]
55. Pederson, Roger L.; van der Valk, Arnold G. 1984. Vegetation change and seed banks in marshes: ecological and management implications. Transactions, North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. 49: 271-280. [19512]
56. Pierce, John; Johnson, Janet. 1986. Wetland community type classification for west-central Montana. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Region, Ecosystem Management Program. 158 p. [Review draft]
62. Seischab, Franz K. 1984. Plant community development in the Byron-Bergen Swamp: marl-bed vegetation. Canadian Journal of Botany. 62: 1006-1017. [23731]
65. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1983. Seed banks and their role during drawdown of a North American marsh. Journal of Applied Ecology. 20: 673-684. [11196]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: geophyte, helophyte

Geophyte
Helophyte

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Life Form

More info for the term: graminoid

Graminoid

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Site Description

The study site was located on a flat to gently rolling landscape at
4,015 to 4,225 feet (1,250-1,280 m) elevation. Harney Basin is
characterized by a semiarid climate and moderate to cold temperatures.
Annual precipitation averages 10 to 12 inches (250-300 mm), but extremes
of 4 inches (100 mm) and 20 inches (500 mm) have been recorded. The
bulk of precipitation occurs in winter and spring, whereas summers are
typically dry. The riverine and palustrine systems occupy the
bottomlands draining into Malheur and Harney lakes. These are typically
long, narrow wetland zones composed of a continuum of ponds, sloughs,
marshes, and wet meadows.

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

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Cyclicity

Phenology

More info on this topic.

Hardstem bulrush flowering dates are as follows:

California          May-Aug          [51]
Colorado            June-Aug         [90]
Montana             June-Aug         [90]
Wyoming             June-Aug         [90]
Great Plains        June-mid Aug     [45]
Nebraska            June-Aug         [24]
North Dakota        July-Aug         [90]
North Carolina      July             [59]
Tennessee           July             [59]
Virginia            June-Sept        [87]

References:

24. Gleason, Henry A.; Cronquist, Arthur. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. 2nd ed. New York: New York Botanical Garden. 910 p. [20329]
45. Larson, Gary E. 1993. Aquatic and wetland vascular plants of the Northern Great Plains. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-238. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 681 p. [22534]
51. Munz, Philip A. 1973. A California flora and supplement. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1905 p. [6155]
59. Radford, Albert E.; Ahles, Harry E.; Bell, C. Ritchie. 1968. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press. 1183 p. [7606]
87. Wofford, B. Eugene. 1989. Guide to the vascular plants of the Blue Ridge. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press. 384 p. [12908]
90. Dittberner, Phillip L.; Olson, Michael R. 1983. The plant information network (PIN) data base: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. FWS/OBS-83/86. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 786 p. [806]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

Molecular Biology

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Schoenoplectus acutus

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 3
Species With Barcodes: 1

Source:

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD)

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Rights Holder:

Barcode of Life Data Systems

Conservation Status

NatureServe Conservation Status

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Source:

NatureServe

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Rights Holder:

NatureServe

National NatureServe Conservation Status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Source:

NatureServe

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Rights Holder:

NatureServe

Management

Management considerations

In Montana waterfowl managers often attempt to increase the proportion
of the hardstem bulrush dominance type relative to the common cattail
dominance type as a means of improving habitat [29,38]. Consumption of
hardstem bulrush by waterfowl and muskrats may decrease aboveground
standing biomass [66]. Hardstem bulrush may be replaced by cattail
(Typha spp.) in continuously flooded marshes following drawdown [34].
However, during years of drought coupled with heavy livestock grazing,
hardstem bulrush may increase at the expense of common cattail [92]. In
northern prairie wetlands hardstem bulrush replaces river bulrush and
sedges under intensive grazing [40].

Miller [49] suggests that hardstem bulrush may be reduced in some ponds
or fields where it dominates by draining the water off and then letting
drought conditions desiccate plants; mowing and burning following
drainage are recommended. Generally it is necessary to plow and summer
fallow the area for one season for best results.

Hardstem bulrush is used in artificial wetlands to filter agricultural
wastewater [38].

References:

29. Hansen, Paul L.; Chadde, Steve W.; Pfister, Robert D. 1988. Riparian dominance types of Montana. Misc. Publ. No. 49. Missoula, MT: University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 411 p. [5660]
34. Harris, Stanley W.; Marshall, William H. 1963. Ecology of water-level manipulations on a northern marsh. Ecology. 44(2): 331-343. [17808]
38. Hurd, Emerenciana G.; Shaw, Nancy L.; Smithman, Lynda C. 1994. Cyperaceae and Juncaceae--selected low-elevation species. In: Monsen, Stephen B.; Kitchen, Stanley G., compilers. Proceedings--ecology and management of annual rangelands; 1992 May 18-22; Boise, ID. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-313. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station: 380-383. [24314]
40. Kantrud, Harold A.; Millar, John B.; van der Valk, A. G. 1989. Vegetation of wetlands of the prairie pothole region. In: van der Valk, Arnold, ed. Northern prairie wetlands. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press: 132-187. [15217]
49. Miller, A. Wendell. 1962. Waterfowl habitat improvement in California. In: Proceedings, annual conference of Western Association of State Fish & Game Commissioners. [Volume unknown]
66. Smith, Loren M.; Kadlec, John A. 1985. Fire and herbivory in a Great Salt Lake marsh. Ecology. 66(1): 259-265. [7619]
92. Stewart, Robert E.; Kantrud, Harold A. 1972. Vegetation of prairie potholes, North Dakota, in relation to quality of water and other environmental factors. In: Geological survey of professional papaers. 85-0. [Place of publication unknown]

Source:

USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Service

License:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/

NatureServe

NatureServe Explorer

Source:
ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.768309

Classification

Synonyms:

Taxonomy:

Informal Taxonomy:

Plants, Vascular - Flowering Plants - Sedge Family

Formal Taxonomy:

Plantae - Anthophyta - Monocotyledoneae - Cyperales - Cyperaceae - Schoenoplectus - which in 1994 Kartesz recognized as a full species.

Ecology and Life History

Short General Description:

Description:

Habitat Type Description:

Migration:

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Locally Migrant:

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Phenologies:

Reproduction Comments:

Ecology Comments:

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Unit of Length:

Weight:

Unit of Weight:

Conservation Status

NatureServe Conservation Status:

NatureServe Global Status Rank:

Global Status Last Reviewed:

1984-09-06

Global Status Last Changed:

1984-09-06

Other Status:

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Conservation Status Map:

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Abarenicola sp.
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Schoenoplectus acutus

Hardstem Bulrush

Data Sources

Table of Contents

Occurrence in North America

Distribution

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

Localities documented in Tropicos sources

National Distribution

Canada

United States

Description

Description

Synonym

Habitat characteristics

Key Plant Community Associations

Habitat: Plant Associations

Habitat: Ecosystem

Habitat: Rangeland Cover Types

Fire Management Implications

Season/Severity Classification

Fire Management Considerations

Plant Response to Fire

Immediate Effect of Fire

Post-fire Regeneration

Fire Ecology

Successional Status

Regeneration Processes

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

Life Form

Site Description

Phenology

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Schoenoplectus acutus

NatureServe Conservation Status

National NatureServe Conservation Status

Canada

United States

Management considerations

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