Seaside Bulrush (Scirpus maritimus)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −23.3 °C
Cultivation
Succeeds in any wet to moisture retentive ground, pond margins and shallow water in full sun or shade.
Propagation
Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in 3cm of water. Only just cover the seed with soil. The seed usually germinates fairly quickly. Prick out the plants when large enough to handle and plant out in their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Edible uses
Root - raw or cooked. Rich in starch, it is usually dried and ground into a powder. Seed - cooked.
Medicinal uses
The root is astringent and diuretic.
Material uses
The leaves are used in weaving and basketry.
Habitat
Along the seashore, in shallow water of tidal rivers, also in ditches and ponds near the sea, avoiding shady positions.
Native range
Found in most regions of the world, including Britain, but absent from the Arctic.
Scientific synonyms Bolboschoenus maritimus