Sea Clubrush

 

Scientific Name: Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla

Family: Cyperaceae

 

MORPHOLOGY

 

Habit and Size: It is a perennial herbaceous plant ranging from 20 to 120 cm in height, with rhizomatous roots.

 

Stem: The stem is erect, robust, and three-angled.

 

Leaves: The leaves are linear, flat (0.3-0.6 x 10-60 cm), rough, and sharp along the margin.

 

Flowers: The inflorescence is a compact spike, formed by 1-6 spindle-shaped spikes (1-2 cm) of dark brown color, with bracts similar to the leaves. The flowers are inconspicuous and hermaphroditic; the perianth is absent, replaced by characteristic glumes that possess two acute lobes with a mucro in the center. It blooms from May to September.

 

Fruits and Seeds: The fruit is an ovoid achene.

 

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

 

It is widespread throughout Italy, in marshes and muddy areas, from sea level up to 800 m altitude.

 

Photo: Used under a free license from Saxifraga, Rutger Barendse, Jan van der Straaten, Peter Meininger, Santos Cirujano Bracamonte.