Schoenoplectiella mucronata Care Guide
Schoenoplectiella mucronata is a tall sedge-like plant with triangular green stems, used in marsh and brackish-tolerant paludariums.
Overview
Schoenoplectiella mucronata, the roughseed or ricefield bulrush, is a tall sedge-like perennial with triangular (three-angled) green stems. It is native to Eurasia, Africa and Australia and grows in shallow water, rice paddies and ditches. It is used in marsh and brackish-tolerant paludariums for vertical structure.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyperaceae
- Genus: Schoenoplectiella
- Scientific name: Schoenoplectiella mucronata
- Common synonyms: Scirpus mucronatus, Schoenoplectus mucronatus, Roughseed Bulrush
Habitat
The plant grows in moist and wet environments including shallow water and rice paddies, forming dense clusters along ditches and wetland areas. It grows from a short, hard rhizome, with leaf sheaths wrapping the stem base, and reaches about one metre in height. It produces cone-shaped flower clusters alongside stiff, angled bracts. It is a recognised agricultural weed in rice fields, for example in California.
Tank requirements
- Placement: background / margin, emersed growth
- Water type: tolerates slightly brackish
- Temperature: 18-28 °C (64-82 °F)
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 6-22 °dGH
- Lighting: high
- CO2: not required
- Mature height: up to about 100 cm
Growth and propagation
This is a medium-growing rhizome plant propagated by rhizome division. It is grown emersed at the waterline, where its three-angled stems form upright clumps.