Seaside Bulrush. Cosmopolitan Bulrush

Scirpus maritimus

Physical Characteristics

Scirpus maritimus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

Found in most regions of the world, including Britain, but absent from the Arctic.

Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked. Rich in starch, it is usually dried and ground into a powder[2, 55, 74, 144]. The roots form tubers at intervals along their length and new plants are formed from these tubers. When first formed, the tubers are white and starchy with a sweet coconut-milk flavour, they become black and woody with age[193]. Tubers can be up to 2.5cm in diameter[193]. Seed - cooked[257]. They can be ground into a powder and used as a mush[257].

Medicinal Uses

Astringent Diuretic The root is astringent and diuretic[240]. It is used in the treatment of amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, abdominal pain or tumours for post-partum females, abdominal distension and indigestion[176].

Known Hazards

None known