Plants perennial; rhizomes spreading, conspicuous, long, weak, soft, flaccid; tuber occasionally present, terminal (and sometimes subterminal). Culms 0.5–2–3 mm wide. Leaves all basal; blades often flaccid. Inflorescences 1–3 times branched or capitate or of 1 spikelet. Spikelets: scales with usually 3–11 distinct or obscure parallel ribs (veins), at least in proximal part of spikelet, apex entire or obscurely emarginate, usually mucronate. Flowers: perianth segments bristlelike, spinulose; amphicarpic flowers absent. Achenes trigonous, 2.5–4.5 mm, smooth.

Distribution

North America, e Asia.

Discussion

Species 4 or 5 (3 in the flora).

The North American species are the most aquatic of all North American Schoenoplectus (S. G. Smith and E. Hayasaka 2001).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Schoenoplectus etuberculatus, Schoenoplectus subterminalis, Schoenoplectus torreyi