Schoenoplectus triqueter
Three-sided bulrush
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Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Schoenoplectus triqueter (Three-sided bulrush) is a non-native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by non-native with sharp-3-sided stems but sheaths without splitting fibers.
Three-sided bulrush is a naturalized perennial found in the Sacramento Valley in fresh water marshes and shores at elevations around 50 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces small clusters of spikelets 5 to 12 millimeters long with inconspicuous flowers. Growing 50 to 150 centimeters tall with sharp three-sided stems that are 2 to 4 millimeters in diameter, it spreads via a long rhizome. Its leaves are limited to 1 or 2 flat or V-shaped blades that do not extend beyond the stem sheath. The fruit is small, approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters long and two-sided with smooth surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; non-native with sharp-3-sided stems but sheaths without splitting fibers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fresh water marshes, shores
Elevation: +- 50 m.
Outside California: to Washington, Eurasia
Bloom period
Schoenoplectus triqueter 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 triqueter native to California?
No. Schoenoplectus triqueter is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Schoenoplectus triqueter bloom?
Schoenoplectus triqueter blooms Summer.
What plant family does Schoenoplectus triqueter belong to?
Schoenoplectus triqueter is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Schoenoplectus.
What habitat does Schoenoplectus triqueter grow in?
Schoenoplectus triqueter grows in Fresh water marshes, shores.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Schoenoplectus pungens var. longispicatus — Common three-square bulrush
- Schoenus nigricans — Black bog-rush
- Schoenus sp.
- Scirpus congdonii — Congdon's bulrush
- Scirpus cyperinus — Woolgrass
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.