Video ID segment (2-3 minutes)

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Soft-stem bulrush might first be noticed as a large colony of stems growing in marshes, streams and ponds nearly throughout Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). The stems are topped by a hanging inflorescence and blooms all year. It is similar to another large native sedge, Scirpus californicus. Like other bulrushes, it is food for wild birds. Scirpus tabernaemontani occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands.

Soft-stem bulrush is a bulrush sedge. stems to 8 ft. tall, very rounded triangular, light green, smooth, spongy, to 1 in. wide at base, gradually tapering upward; leaf blades none, just sheaths; inflorescence at stem tip, hanging clusters of spikelets; bract rolled, pointed, appears as a continuation of the stem; spikelets blunt, brown, each spikelet with up to 50 bristly flowers; nutlet bristles barbed, 4-6, narrow.