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Hardstem bulrush's inflorescence is a branching cluster (a "pseudoumbel") at the top of the stem with an erect bract at its base that is C-shaped in section and 3/8-3.5" long; the bract appears to be a continuation of the stem. The clusters ("pseudoumbels") may be open or compact, but are more compact than in softstem bulrush. There may be 3-40 spikelets, some solitary (but never all solitary), some in groups of 2-8 at the tips of stiff floral stalks. The spikelets are reddish-brown, 10-17 mm long, cylindrical or spindle-shaped with pointed tips and with 8+ florets spirally arranged on the spikelet. The florets are perfect (both male and female parts present), each with three stamens and a two-part style; each floret is subtended by a single, 3 mm long, red-spotted scale, often with a contorted awn (both of which may be difficult to see — magnification recommended). Hardstem bulrush can tolerate standing water as much as five feet deep. You are most likely to confuse hardstem bulrush and softstem bulrush. The stem in softstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani) is spongy to the touch and the pith has numerous much larger air cavities than hardstem bulrush in most of the pith. Softstem bulrush has mostly solitary spikelets, a much more open inflorescence, scales covering the florets that are usually not red-spotted, and is a lighter blue green color than hardstem bulrush's dark olive green. Softstem bulrush is much more common in Jackson Park than is hardstem bulrush.

Schoenoplectus

Schoenoplectus acutus

hardstem bulrush [Blooms: Jun-Jul]