BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Scirpus robustus | Saltmarsh Bulrush 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Saltmarsh bulrush is a native, rhizomotous, perennial sedge [9,20,29].
Its triangular culms are 2.3 to 5 feet (0.7-1.5 m) tall, with narrow
leaves.  It has from one to five spikelets that are 0.4 to 1 inch (1-2.5
cm) long [9,19].  Spikelets have been described as reddish-brown near
the coast and more straw-colored inland [19].  Seed heads are brown and
occur in dense, conical clusters [6].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte
   Geophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Saltmarsh bulrush regenerates mainly by tuber-forming rhizomes [9,19].

Germination tests have shown seeds to be very viable; 95 percent
germinated after exposure to 14 hours of light per day [21].  When
exposed to salinity levels of 9,000 p/m, germination is reduced by 50
percent.  No germination occurred after salinity levels reached 21,000
p/m [21].  Saltmarsh bulrush seeds can remain dormant in marsh soils for
"long periods" until moisture conditions are favorable [16].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Saltmarsh bulrush is an obligate wetland species found in brackish
coastal and inland marshes [9,24].  In California it usually grows below
1,000 feet (305 m), but in the Great Basin it is found between 2,000 and
5,000 feet (610-1,524 m) [19].  Soil salinities of saltmarsh bulrush
communities have been measured between 3,000 and 22,000 p/m, but it
appears to grow best when salinity levels average between 3,000 and
7,000 p/m [20,21].  Water depths in these Scirpus communities average
between -6 and +5 inches (-15 and +13 cm).  Soil pH ranges from 4.3 to
6.4 [20,21].

Common associates of saltmarsh bulrush include common reed (Phragmites
communis), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), cordgrass (Spartina spp.),
American bulrush (Scirpus americanus), widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima),
coastal saltgrass (Distichlis spicata var. spicata), sedge (Carex spp.),
buckbrush (Baccharis halimifolia), marsh button (Achyranthes
philoxeroides), seaside goldenrod (Solidago mexicana), cattail (Typha
spp.), bulltongue (Sagittaria spp.), and cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea)
[3,11,21,22].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Saltmarsh bulrush is a pioneer species in coastal marshes where soil is
exposed and water levels fluctuate [21,22].  In areas where fire is
excluded, saltmarsh bulrush is subclimax to marshbay cordgrass (Spartina
patens) but could become dominant with frequent fire.  In the absence of
disturbance, it is outcompeted and eventually crowded out by climax
species [13].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Saltmarsh bulrush sprouts in early spring, flowers between April and
August, and fruits between July and October [9,19].  After a brief
dormant period in summer, it will resprout in the fall if soils are
flooded again [18].  Water level fluctuations of 6 to 8 inches (15-20
cm) in spring, summer, or early fall will increase saltmarsh bulrush
[20].

Related categories for Species: Scirpus robustus | Saltmarsh Bulrush