Botanical name:

Schoenoplectus pungens

Common name(s):

Three-square, three-square bulrush, sharp club-rush

About:

S. pungens is a long-lived perennial herb that belongs to the sedge family. This remarkable plant typically thrives in wetland areas and is known for producing dense stands of narrow, erect blue-green stems. The flower structure usually forms in a panicle composed of multiple spikelets that extend outwards on long, thin branches, which can often spread, gracefully arch, or droop in a visually appealing manner.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane up to 400m. Usually found not far from the sea in salt-marshes, brackish swamps and estuaries. Also more rarely found inland around freshwater lakes and ponds, and in damp saline slacks. Also recorded from waters draining geothermal sites along the Waikato River.

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt, Wetland, Wind & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South and Chatham Islands. In the North Island found from West Auckland and Coromandel south, often scattered and apparently absent from Taranaki, extending inland along the Waikato River. In the South Island scattered and uncommon in Westland and Fiordland - found inland at Pareora Gorge (Canterbury) and Central Otago. Common on Chatham Island. Also widespread in western Europe, America and Australia.

Height: 1.5m

Flowering: 

October – January

Fruiting:

January - June

Uses:

Riparian plantings, Pioneer Plantings & Wetlands.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and the division of whole plants. Ideal for use in water treatment ponds and wetlands.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though