Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
Soft-stem bulrush
(c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (Soft-stem bulrush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by cylindrical stems with contorted-ciliate flower bracts distinguish from similar species.
Soft-stem bulrush is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, northern Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, southwestern California, and desert regions in fresh marshes, shores, stream bars, and fens at elevations up to 2,400 meters. Flowering in summer, this plant produces small clustered spikelets in panicle-like inflorescences. Growing 0.5 to 2 meters tall with a long rhizome and thick cylindrical stems 2 to 10 millimeters in diameter, it develops 1 to 2 leaf blades that are 1 to 4 millimeters wide and flat toward the tip. Its leaf sheaths split, often leaving behind fibrous remnants, with distinctive perianth bristles surrounding each small fruit. The compact clusters of spikelets and unique stem structure make this bulrush a distinctive wetland plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; cylindrical stems with contorted-ciliate flower bracts distinguish from similar species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon in California. Fresh marshes, shores, stream bars, fens
Elevation: < 2400 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Trinity, Orange, Napa, Plumas, Contra Costa, Butte, Marin, Solano, Monterey, Shasta, Glenn, Tehama, Del Norte, Colusa, Siskiyou, Ventura, Kern, Riverside
Outside California: +- worldwide.
Bloom period
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani blooms Summer.
How to tell it apart
vs Juncus: Schoenoplectus has flowers in spikelets with overlapping scales; Juncus has separate flowers with 6 perianth parts.; vs Typha: Schoenoplectus has small spikelets of tiny flowers; Typha has dense brown cylindrical flower spikes (cattails).; vs Bolboschoenus: Schoenoplectus has smooth flower scales; Bolboschoenus scales are fuzzy-hairy.; vs Carex: Schoenoplectus has bisexual flowers in open spikelets; Carex has separate male/female flowers in enclosed sacs.; vs Scirpus: Schoenoplectus has dull bracts with notched tips; Scirpus bracts are pointed and often reddish-tinged.
Frequently asked questions
Is Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani native to California?
Yes. Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani bloom?
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani blooms Summer.
Where in California does Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani grow?
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Trinity, Orange, Napa, Plumas, Contra Costa and other counties, at elevations of < 2400 m.
What plant family does Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani belong to?
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Schoenoplectus.
What habitat does Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani grow in?
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani grows in Uncommon in California. Fresh marshes, shores, stream bars, fens.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Schoenoplectus triqueter — Three-sided bulrush
- Schoenoplectus acutus var. occidentalis — Common tule
- Schoenoplectus americanus — Olney's three-square bulrush
- Schoenoplectus californicus — Southern bulrush
- Schoenoplectus heterochaetus — Slender bulrush
- Schoenoplectus mucronatus — Rough-seed bulrush
- Schoenus nigricans — Black bog-rush
- Schoenus sp.
- Scirpus congdonii — Congdon's bulrush
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.