Scirpus is a genus of grass-like species in the sedge family Cyperaceae many with the common names club-rush, wood club-rush or bulrush. They mostly inhabit wetlands and damp locations.
Description
Scirpus are rhizomatous perennial herbs, with 3-angled stems and flat grass-like leaves. The flowers are in clusters of small spikelets, often brown or greenish brown. Some species (e.g. S. lacustris) can reach a height of 3 metres (10 feet), while S. sylvaticus is about 1.2 m (4 ft) and others, such as S. supinus, are much smaller, only reaching 20–30 centimetres (8–12 in) tall.
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of the genus is complex, and under review by botanists. Recent studies by taxonomists of the Cyperaceae have resulted in the creation of several new genera, including the genera Schoenoplectus and Bolboschoenus; others (including Blysmus, Isolepis, Nomochloa, and Scirpoides) have also been used. At one point this genus held almost 300 species, but many of the species once assigned to it have now been reassigned, and it now holds an estimated 120 species.
(This list is incomplete, and may include some species now assigned to other genera.)
Scirpus ancistrochaetus northeastern bulrush
Scirpus atrocinctus black-girdle bulrush
Scirpus atrovirens woolgrass bulrush
Scirpus bicolor
Scirpus campestris salt marsh bulrush
Scirpus cespitosus deergrass, synonymous with Trichophorum cespitosum
Scirpus congdonii Congdon's bulrush
Scirpus cyperinus - woolgrass/cottongrass bulrush
Scirpus diffusus
Scirpus divaricatus spreading bulrush
Scirpus expansus Woodland beakrush
Scirpus flaccidifolius reclining bulrush
Scirpus fluitans floating club-rush
Scirpus fluviatilis - river bulrush
Scirpus georgianus Georgia bulrush
Scirpus grossus Greater club-rush, Giant bulrush
Scirpus hattorianus - mosquito bulrush
Scirpus lineatus drooping bulrush
Scirpus longii Long's bulrush
Scirpus mariqueter
Scirpus microcarpus small-fruit bulrush
Scirpus mucronatus
Scirpus nevadensis Nevada bulrush...
