PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Hall's Bulrush (Schoenoplectus hallii)

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Photo by Ryan O'Connor

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Hall's Bulrush (Schoenoplectus hallii), a Wisconsin Endangered and Federal Species of Concern plant, is found on moist sandy-peaty shores along the margins of shallow lakes with a fluctuating water table. Blooming occurs throughout August, fruiting throughout August. The optimal identification period for this species is August through September.

Schoenoplectiella hallii, Scirpus hallii, Scirpus supinus var. hallii

 
 
 

Hall's bulrush is a graminoid with 2 to several spikelets, closely clustered, 3-15mm, at least the larger ones have more than 15 flowers. Its fruits are blackish achenes, 1.5mm, with fine, dense, conspicuous cross ridges when viewed at 10x magnification, round to top-shaped. It has few leaves, most are borne below the middle. Sheathes are bladeless and with a short, sharp point, or the upper ones with a slender blade to 10cm.

Blooming occurs throughout August, fruiting occurs throughout August.

Annual/perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout September.

The deep seed bank allows S hallii populations to remain dormant until onset of favorable conditions.

Hall's bulrush is found on moist sandy-peaty shores along the margins of shallow lakes with a fluctuating water table.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.