Alkali Bulrush (Bolboschoenus maritimes) is a perennial riparian species for in marshes, transient wet areas, pond margins, wetlands and brackish waterways. It is heavily rhizomatous. Alkali Bulrush is an important plant for waterfowl. Adapted to alkaline and salty sites. Grows 2 to 5 feet tall. Can be planted in standing water or partially drained areas. It forms large dense stands in alkaline or saline sites. Alkali bulrush (Bolboschoenus maritimes) can grow in soils with a pH of up to 9.0, and soil textures from fine clays to silt loams to sands. It can survive periods of total inundation of up to 1 m deep. It tends to spread and reproduce when the water table is within 10 cm of the surface. Alkali bulrush can occur on freshwater sites, but is usually a pioneering species that will be replaced over time with more permanent species. It is spread by seed and rhizome growth. This species is fairly resistant to fire which will increase its production and protein content.
Livestock and big game will rarely use this species. Palatability is low. Waterfowl will utilize the seed and use the stems for nesting cover. Muskrats and beaver will eat the rootstocks and young shoots. They will also use the shoots for building material.
Plants can tolerate up to 1 m of standing water for short periods of time. Typically, the water will be high in the spring and decline throughout the growing season to within 1 m of the surface in the fall. This species can tolerate periods of drought and total inundation. Water levels can be managed to either enhance or reduce spread as well as control terrestrial weeds.
Alkali Bullrush (Bolboschoenus maritimes) can be used for the following conservation issues: erosion control, constructed wetland System applications, wildlife food and cover, wetland creation and restoration, and for improvement of plant diversity in wetland and riparian communities. As a pioneering species, it will provide protection from wind and wave erosion especially for newly exposed soil. The rhizomes also form a matrix for many beneficial bacteria, making this plant an excellent choice for wastewater treatment.
Common Names: Sea clubrush, Cosmopolitan bulrush, Saltmarsh bulrush, Bayonet grass
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Alkali Bulrush NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
Alkali Bulrush NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide & Fact Sheet
Prepared By & Species Coordinator Chris Hoag, USDA NRCS Idaho Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho
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Synonyms
Many plants have more than one common and scientific name. We've listed a few of them below.
- Alkali Bullrush
- Bolboschoenus maritimus
- Sea Clubrush
- Cosmopolitan Bulrush
- Saltmarsh Bulrush
- Bayonet Grass
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Quick Plant Facts
Common Name: | Alkali Bulrush |
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Min. Precipitation | 25 Inches or more |
Seed Count | 170,000 seeds/lb. |
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Root Form | Sodformer |
Sowing Rate | 8 PLS lbs. per Acre |
Best Sowing Time | Spring, Fall, or early Sumer |
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Sun & Shade Tolerance: | Shade Intolerant |
Plant PDF File | scma.pdf |
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