Water Bulrush (Scirpus subterminalis)

Family: Cyperaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Scirpus subterminalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Shoots, Roots/Tubers, Pollen

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in starch. — Root - raw or cooked.; The plant sometimes forms fleshy terminal tubers up to 3mm thick.; The rhizomes are about 1mm thich.; Peeled and eaten raw or cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Submerged to emergent in water to 1 metre deep, or sometimes terrestrial, fresh lakes, streams and bogs at elevations of 10 - 2200 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)