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Scirpus

Genus of flowering plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Scirpus
For other species called bulrush, see Bulrush.

Scirpus is a genus of grass-like species in the sedge family Cyperaceae many with the common names club-rush, wood club-rush or bulrush. They mostly inhabit wetlands and damp locations.

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Scirpus
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Scirpus atrovirens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Scirpus
L.
Species

About 120; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Chamaeschoenus Ehrh.
  • Leiophyllum Ehrh.
  • Dichismus Raf.
  • Diplarinus Raf.
  • Seidlia Opiz
  • Actaeogeton Steud.
  • Blepharolepis Nees
  • Nemocharis Beurl.
  • Taphrogiton Montandon
  • Maximoviczia A.P.Khokhr.
  • Maximowicziella A.P.Khokhr.
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Description

Scirpus are rhizomatous perennial herbs, with 3-angled stems and flat grass-like leaves. The flowers are in clusters of small spikelets, often brown or greenish brown.[2]: 992  Some species (e.g. S. lacustris) can reach a height of 3 metres (10 feet), while S. sylvaticus is about 1.2 m (4 ft) and others, such as S. supinus, are much smaller, only reaching 20–30 centimetres (8–12 in) tall.

Taxonomy

Summarize
Perspective

The taxonomy of the genus is complex, and under review by botanists. Recent studies by taxonomists of the Cyperaceae have resulted in the creation of several new genera, including the genera Schoenoplectus and Bolboschoenus; others (including Blysmus, Isolepis, Nomochloa, and Scirpoides) have also been used. At one point this genus held almost 300 species, but many of the species once assigned to it have now been reassigned, and it now holds an estimated 120 species.

Selected species

(This list is incomplete, and may include some species now assigned to other genera.)
Selected species in a broader view of the genus

Fossil record

Several hundred fossil fruits of Scirpus ragozinii have been described from middle Miocene strata of the Fasterholt area near Silkeborg in Central Jutland, Denmark.[3] Thirty-five fossil fruits of the extant Scirpus sylvaticus have been extracted from borehole samples of the Middle Miocene fresh water deposits in Nowy Sacz Basin, West Carpathians, Poland.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The genus has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, found on every continent except Africa and Antarctica.[1]

Many species are common in wetlands and can produce dense stands of vegetation, along rivers,[5][6] in coastal deltas[7] and in ponds and potholes.[8] Although flooding is the most important factor affecting its distribution, drought, ice scour, grazing, fire and salinity also affect its abundance.[9] It can survive unfavourable conditions like prolonged flooding, or drought, as buried seeds.[10]

Ecology

Scirpus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including Chedra microstigma[11][12] and Scirpophaga nivella.[13] They provide habitat for other wildlife.

Scirpus plants play a vital role in wetland ecosystems by stabilizing soil and reducing erosion. Their dense root systems help filter water and improve its quality.

Uses

Scirpus species are often planted to inhibit soil erosion. They are also used in some herbal remedies; the plant's rhizomes are collected in the autumn and winter and dried in the sun before use.

References

External links

Sources

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