WildflowerWeb will be offline for a few days in the near future while we transition to a new provider. The downtime is temporary, and we'll be back very soon. Thank you for your understanding!
Search

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Triangular Club-rush

Schoenoplectus triqueter

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Poales
Family:
Cyperaceae (Sedge)
Also in this family:
American Galingale, Birdsfoot Sedge, Black Alpine Sedge, Black Bog-rush, Bladder Sedge, Bog Sedge, Bottle Sedge, Bristle Club-rush, Bristle Sedge, Broad-leaved Cotton-grass, Brown Beak-sedge, Brown Bog-rush, Chestnut Rush, Close-headed Alpine Sedge, Club Sedge, Common Club-rush, Common Cotton-grass, Common Sedge, Common Spike-rush, Curved Sedge, Deergrass, Dioecious Sedge, Distant Sedge, Divided Sedge, Dotted Sedge, Downy-fruited Sedge, Dwarf Sedge, Dwarf Spike-rush, Estuarine Sedge, False Fox Sedge, False Sedge, Few-flowered Sedge, Few-flowered Spike-rush, Fibrous Tussock Sedge, Fingered Sedge, Flat Sedge, Flea Sedge, Floating Club-rush, Gingerbread Sedge, Glaucous Sedge, Great Fen Sedge, Greater Pond Sedge, Greater Tussock Sedge, Green-ribbed Sedge, Grey Club-rush, Grey Sedge, Hair Sedge, Hairy Sedge, Haresfoot Sedge, Hare's-tail Cotton-grass, Heath Sedge, Hop Sedge, Large Yellow Sedge, Lesser Pond Sedge, Lesser Tussock Sedge, Long-bracted Sedge, Many-stalked Spike-rush, Mountain Bog Sedge, Needle Spike-rush, Northern Deergrass, Northern Spike-rush, Oval Sedge, Pale Sedge, Pendulous Sedge, Perennial Sedge, Pill Sedge, Prickly Sedge, Remote Sedge, Rock Sedge, Round-headed Club-rush, Russet Sedge, Salt Sedge, Sand Sedge, Scorched Alpine Sedge, Sea Club-rush, Sheathed Sedge, Slender Club-rush, Slender Cotton-grass, Slender Sedge, Slender Spike-rush, Slender Tufted Sedge, Smooth-stalked Sedge, Soft-leaved Sedge, Spiked Sedge, Spring Sedge, Star Sedge, Starved Wood Sedge, Stiff Sedge, String Sedge, Sweet Galingale, Tall Bog Sedge, Tawny Sedge, Thin-spiked Wood Sedge, True Fox Sedge, Tufted Sedge, Water Sedge, White Beak-sedge, White Sedge, Wood Club-rush, Wood Sedge, Yellow Sedge
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual or Perennial
Maximum Size:
125 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Mud, mudflats, riversides, seaside.

Flower:
֍
Brown, no petals
 
Reddish-brown, egg-shaped spikelets within branched clusters. Smaller clusters than those of the similar looking Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris).
Fruit:
The fruit is a brown, 3-sided nutlet.
Leaves:
Leafless stems. Similar to Common Club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris) but has 3-sided stems. Perennial.
Other Names:
Hard-stemmed Clubrush, Three-square Clubrush.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Schoenoplectus triqueter, also known as three-square clubrush or hard-stemmed clubrush, is a species of plant in the family Cyperaceae. It is native to wetlands and marshes in Europe, Asia, and North America. Three-square clubrush is a large, herbaceous plant that grows in a tufted or clumped habit. It has thick, fleshy stems and long, grass-like leaves. It produces small, brown or greenish-brown flowers that are surrounded by papery bracts. The stems of the plant are triangular in cross-section, which gives it its common name. It is commonly found in wetland habitats and is used in horticulture as an ornamental plant.

Blog

Triangular Club-rush (Schoenoplectus triqueter) is a species of wetland plant that is commonly found in marshy areas and along the edges of ponds and lakes. This plant is a member of the Cyperaceae family and is known for its triangular stems and dense clusters of brown flowers.

Triangular Club-rush is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, from hot and dry to cold and wet. It is a slow grower, but once established, it can form large colonies that help to stabilize shorelines and provide important habitats for wetland wildlife.

The plant's stems are triangular in cross-section and can reach up to 4 feet in height. The leaves are long and narrow, and the brown flowers are arranged in dense clusters at the tops of the stems. The seeds of the plant are wind-dispersed, and the plant can also spread vegetatively through its underground rhizomes.

Triangular Club-rush is a valuable species for wetland restoration and conservation efforts, as it can help to control erosion, improve water quality, and provide important habitats for a variety of wetland animals. In addition, the plant has been used for a variety of cultural and medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples throughout its range.

Overall, Triangular Club-rush is an important and versatile wetland plant that has a variety of ecological and cultural uses. If you are interested in learning more about this species or planting it in your own wetland area, be sure to consult with a local expert or botanist for more information.

Triangular Club-rush is found in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, it is commonly found in the eastern and central regions, from Quebec to Texas and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. It is well-adapted to a wide range of soils and water conditions, and can grow in areas with standing water, seasonal flooding, or fluctuating water levels.

The plant is considered to be a relatively low maintenance species, making it a popular choice for landscaping and restoration projects. It is a good choice for areas that are difficult to mow or maintain, such as along shorelines or in wet meadows. Triangular Club-rush is also a good choice for areas where other plants may not be able to grow, such as in acidic or nutrient-poor soils.

In addition to its ecological benefits, Triangular Club-rush has a number of other uses. It is often harvested for its fibrous stems, which can be used to make baskets, mats, and other woven items. The plant is also used in traditional medicine, and its roots and leaves have been used to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems, skin conditions, and respiratory disorders.

Triangular Club-rush is also known for its ability to support biodiversity in wetland habitats. It provides important habitat and food resources for a variety of wetland animals, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and small mammals. The plant's dense stems and leaves provide cover from predators, and its seeds are a valuable food source for waterfowl and other birds.

Additionally, Triangular Club-rush plays an important role in the food web of wetland ecosystems. Its roots and stems serve as a source of organic matter for decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, which break down the plant material and release essential nutrients back into the ecosystem. This helps to maintain the health and productivity of wetland habitats.

Despite its many benefits, Triangular Club-rush can be threatened by habitat destruction, invasive species, and other human activities. Conservation efforts, such as wetland protection and restoration, are critical to ensuring the survival of this important species and the many benefits it provides.

In conclusion, Triangular Club-rush is a versatile and important species for wetland habitats. Its ability to provide habitat and food resources, support biodiversity, and play a role in the food web make it a valuable species for wetland conservation and management. If you are interested in learning more about this species or incorporating it into your own wetland projects, be sure to consult with a local expert or botanist for more information.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map