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Three-square bulrush's inflorescence is a sessile cluster of 1-5 spikelets that sit on one of the flat faces of the culm at a range of angles form ~20° to near 90°. Above the spikelets is a floral bract 2-10" long that looks like a continuation of the culm, but the side of the bract that faces the spikelets has a white-spongy appearance rather than the green of the culm or the other faces of the bract. Individual spikelets are ~1/4-1" (5-20 mm) long, conical in shape, reddish orange or brown when mature, with a chaffy surface. The midvein of the outer scales is extended to form a spiky awn that can be longer than spikelet. Each spikelet contains several perfect florets that are spirally arranged, hard to distinguish externally. Each floret has three stamens, an ovary with a single style divided into 2-3 stigmas, and a covering of chaffy scales; the stamens and stigmas are only present for a brief period before they wither and drop off. The florets are wind pollinated.

Schoenoplectus

Schoenoplectus pungens

three-square bulrush [Blooms: May-Jul]

Fertile great bulrush culms terminate in a sprawling inflorescence up to 6" long and across consisting of a number of branches and branchlets with 15-200 terminal spikelets; at the base of the branches is a single bract 1/2-3" long, C-shaped in cross section, that appears to be (but isn't) a continuation of the culm. The branches and branchlets are light green, flattened, slender, and spreading/drooping. Branchlets end in a single spikelet or a cluster of 2-5 spikelets that are sessile or have short pedicels. Spikelets are 3-17 mm (typically 6-8 mm) long, brown to reddish or orangish brown, and elongate-ovoid in shape; they may appear hairy from remnants of the withered, split styles of the florets. Each floret has a 2.5-3 mm oval brown scale at its base; the scales have a green central vein that may be extended in a short awn. The florets have three stamens and 2-3 styles (split from a single style); they are wind pollinated.

Schoenoplectus

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani

great bulrush [Blooms: May-Jul]