Bolboschoenus Palla. Common name: Bulrush.
A genus of about 10-16 species, herbs, cosmopolitan. Muasya et al. (2009) indicate that Bolboschoenus is in a clade with Fimbristylis, Abildgaardia, Bulbostylis, Fuirena, Eleocharis, and other genera not in our flora, and therefore not closely related to (or congeneric with) Schoenoplectus or Scirpus.
ID notes: Our species of Bolboschoenus are robust plants with leafy stems that inhabit freshwater and brackish marsh, especially but not strictly in tidal waters. The inflorescence is composed of a few to many spike in a compact or semi-open (B. robustus) or open (B. novae-angliae) array, appearing terminal on the stem and subtended with several to many leaf-like bract (similar to Scirpus in this regard, but not to Schoenoplectus, which has the inflorescence appearing lateral (subtended by usually a single, erect bract that imitates a continuation of the stem). Compared to Scirpus, Bolboschoenus has fewer and larger spikelet (see Cyperaceae key). The individual spike are ovoid to cylindrical in shape and brown in color, and larger than those of Scirpus (10-40 mm long, 6-12 mm in diameter, as opposed to 2.5-19 mm long, 2-4 mm in diameter in Scirpus). The genus Bolboschoenus was often formerly placed within a very broad concept of Scirpus or a broad concept of Schoenoplectus.
References: Goetghebeur (1998) In Kubitzki (1998b); Smith (2002a) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2002b); Strong (1994). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Gary P. Fleming | Bolboschoenus robustus | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Bolboschoenus novae-angliae | Original Image ⭷
© Santiago Martín-Bravo, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Santiago Martín-Bravo | Bolboschoenus glaucus source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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