PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Torrey's Bulrush (Schoenoplectus torreyi)

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Photo by Kevin Doyle

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Torrey's Bulrush (Schoenoplectus torreyi), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found on the sandy shores of shallow lakes and lagoons. Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting throughout August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

Scirpus torreyi

 
 
 

Torrey's bulrush is a graminoid, 5-10dm tall, with erect stems, ovate scales, and bristles that are longer than the achene. It has with 1-4 light brown spikes in a head, ovoid, and 8-15 mm, the style is 3-parted. Its fruits are compressed achenes, three-angled, obovoid, 3.2-4mm including the prominent apiculus. It has several elongate leaves that often surpass the culm.

Its elongate leaves that are more than half as long as the culms and its trifid style distinguish it from similar species.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting throughout August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

Associated species include Dulichium arundinaceum, Eriocaulon septangulare, Phragmites australis, Ranunculus reptans, Juncus balticus, Eleocharis smallii, Bidens cernua, Polygonum hydropiper, Scirpus pungens, S acutus, and Sagittaria latifolia.

Torrey's bulrush prefers wet, sandy soils and is found on the sandy shores of shallow lakes and lagoons.

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.