Seaside Bulrush. Cosmopolitan Bulrush (Scirpus maritimus)

Family: Cyperaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Scirpus maritimus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in starch, it is usually dried and ground into a powder. — Root - raw or cooked.; Rich in starch, it is usually dried and ground into a powder.; The roots form tubers at intervals along their length and new plants are formed from these tubers.; When first formed, the tubers are white and starchy with a sweet coconut-milk flavour, they become black and woody with age.

Habitat & North American Range

Along the seashore, in shallow water of tidal rivers, also in ditches and ponds near the sea, avoiding shady positions. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)