Chairmaker’s-rush (Schoenoplectus pungens, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 10: 299 (1888))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: (Vahl) Palla

Bibliography: Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 10: 299 (1888)

Year: 1888

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Schoenoplectus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, E. Canada to Mexico, Hispaniola, Peru to Argentina, Australia to New Zealand

Description

Chairmaker’s-rush, scientifically known as Schoenoplectus pungens, belongs to the Cyperaceae family. This hardy plant has been documented in botanical literature since 1888, as referenced in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. It was formally described by Vahl and later attributed to Palla in the specifications.

This versatile plant is notable for its wide geographical distribution. It thrives in various regions worldwide, ranging from Europe and Eastern Canada down to Mexico, including locales such as Hispaniola and extending through Peru to Argentina. Interestingly, it also adapts well to environments in Australia and New Zealand.

Chairmaker’s-rush is recognized for its resilient growth in marshy areas, shorelines, and wetlands, contributing significantly to the ecological integrity of these environments. It plays a crucial role in soil stabilization and water filtration, making it an essential component of wetland ecosystems. The name “Chairmaker’s-rush” hints at its traditional use in chair seat weaving and basketry, a testament to its strong, flexible stems.

Overall, Schoenoplectus pungens is not only an important ecological species but also one of historical utility, illustrating the intricate connection between natural biodiversity and human practices.

Common Names

Deu: amerikanische teichbinse
Eng: chairmaker’s-rush, common threesquare, common threesquare bulrush, sharp club-rush, common three-square bulrush, three-square bulrush, cane-maker’s rush, chair-maker’s rush, common three-square, jersey club-rush, sharp bulrush, three-square
Fra: scirpe acere, scirpe piquant, schoenoplectus piquant, scirpe acéré, scirpe d’amérique, souchet piquant
Nld: stekende bies
Cym: llafrwyn miniog, llafrwynen finiog
En: Chairmaker’s-rush, Sharp club-rush, Common threesquare, Common threesquare bulrush, Three-Square, Schoenoplectus pungens, Common three-square bulrush, Three-square bulrush, Jersey Club-Rush, Sharp Bulrush, Cane-maker’s rush, Chair-maker’s rush, Common three-square
Cs: Skřípinec pichlavý
Nl: Stekende bies
Fr: Scirpe acere, Scirpe piquant, Schoenoplectus piquant, Scirpe acéré, Scirpe d’Amérique, Souchet piquant
De: Amerikanische Teichbinse, Amerikanische Teichsimse, Amerikanisches Seeried, Stechende Teichsimse
It: Lisca nordamericana
Cy: Llafrwynen finiog, Llafrwyn Miniog

Synonyms

• Cyperus pungens ((Vahl) Missbach & E.H.L.Krause)
• Scirpus pungens (Vahl)
• Heleogiton pungens ((Vahl) Rchb.)
• Scirpus americanus var. pungens ((Vahl) Barros & Osten)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Chatham Is. (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Florida (native)
• France (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Germany (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New York (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• New Zealand South (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Australia (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tasmania (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Nov 5, 2014 by EOL − John Barkla (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 30, 2014 by EOL − Sue Mcgaw (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 26, 2015 by EOL − John Barkla (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 10, 2008 by EOL − Chicago Botanic Garden 2007 (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by malot w (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by av br y fac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2007 by Tela Botanica − David SAUTET (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 2, 2016 by EOL − tangatawhenua (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 20, 2019 by Sjoukje de Vries (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2008 by EOL − Chicago Botanic Garden 2007 (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2016 by EOL − tangatawhenua (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 20, 2020 by Christine Jubber (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 2, 2016 by EOL − tangatawhenua (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2711190)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1019167-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Schoenoplectus pungens (Vahl) Palla)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 2