Botanical Name
Schoenoplectus americanus
Common Name
Chairmaker's Bulrush
Wetland Status
OBL
Perennial, native grasslike herb, reaches a height of 10 feet. Its small spikelets are all gathered along one side of the stalk near the top. Native American groups used this plant for many purposes, including food, basketry, and hatmaking. The preference is full or partial sun, wet conditions (including shallow water up to 6" deep) and soil containing sandy loam, silty clay, or gravelly material. This plant can withstand flooded conditions with water up to 2' deep for temporary periods of time, and it can withstand periods of drought when the soil is merely moist, rather than wet.