Great Bulrush, Softstem Bulrush, Soft-stem Bulrush, Tule
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
Synonyms: Schoenoplectus validus, Scirpus lacustris ssp. creber, Scirpus lacustris ssp. glaucus, Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani, Scirpus lacustris ssp. validus, Scirpus tabernaemontani, Scirpus validus, Scirpus validus var. creber, Scirpus validus var. validus
Softstem bulrush as seen in mudflats along the Columbia River shoreline just east of the Sandy River Delta, Troutdale, Oregon...........September 8, 2012. Note the reddish brown spikeles in the inflorescence t and the thick stems which can be easily crushed between the fingers. The similar hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus) has firmer stems and grayer spikelets.
Close-up of the inflorescence of softstem bulrush as seen in mudflats along the Columbia River shoreline just east of the Sandy River Delta, Troutdale, Oregon...........September 8, 2012. Note the reddish brown spikelets.
The photo above shows the inflorescence of what might be softstem bulrush as seen in wetlands at the summer high water line along the Columbia River at Dalton Point..........September 1, 2007.
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Close-up of a floral spike as well as a photo of softstem bulrush in its habitat (with Scirpus cyperinus behind it) as seen along moist shores of Mirror Lake at Rooster Rock State Park in the western Columbia River Gorge........August 19, 2009.
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Close-ups of the reddish-brown spikelets of softstem bulrush as seen along the shoreline of the Columbia River at the east side of the Sandy River delta, western Columbia River Gorge........September 29, 2012. Note again the reddish-brown cast to the scales.
The habitat of softstem bulrush as seen along the moist shores of Mirror Lake at Rooster Rock State Park in the western Columbia River Gorge.......August 19, 2009. Note the wapato (Sagittaria latifolia) in deeper water at the front of the mass of bulrushes.
Paul Slichter