River Club-Rush (Scirpus validus)

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

Scirpus validus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower 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.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

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

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in starch. — Root - raw or cooked.; The root contains a meagre amount of starch.; The sweet roots are eaten raw in mid summer.; The bruised young roots, when boiled in water, furnish a sweet syrup.

Habitat & North American Range

Fresh to brackish marshes, fens, bogs, lakes, stream banks and bars, pioneering in disturbed places, often emergent in water up to 1 metre deep, from sea level to elevations of 2400 metres. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)