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Rufous Bulrush

Scirpus pendulus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Rufous bulrush is a wetland forb that blooms from June through August, thriving in consistently moist to wet soils such as marshes, wet meadows and pond edges.

Rufous Bulrush (Scirpus pendulus)
Photo: Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Toxicity unknown

Rufous Bulrush (Scirpus pendulus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Rufous Bulrush as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

12"–40" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 35 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

High PlainsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainEastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Rufous bulrush is a graceful wetland sedge that forms upright clumps with narrow, arching leaves and delicate drooping flower clusters. This moisture-loving perennial thrives in consistently wet soils and naturally wet areas of the landscape. The plant goes dormant in winter, leaving attractive dried seed heads that persist into fall.

Growing Rufous Bulrush

Grow Rufous Bulrush in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 40 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Rufous Bulrush takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Looks wild and unkempt to most homeowners
  • Requires consistently wet conditions that may appear poorly maintained
  • Sedge appearance often perceived as weedy rather than ornamental

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract bees and flies for pollination. Seeds provide food for waterfowl and other birds, while the dense clumps offer nesting habitat for wetland wildlife.

Common questions

When does Rufous bulrush bloom?
Rufous bulrush flowers from June through August, producing drooping, rust colored spikelets typical of the species.
What pollinators visit Rufous bulrush?
Bees and flies are the main visitors to Rufous bulrush flowers, according to the Xerces Society's pollinator plant resources.
What growing conditions suit Rufous bulrush best?
This sedge does best with part sun to full sun exposure and steady, high moisture, making it a good fit for rain gardens, pond margins and wet meadow plantings.
Is Rufous bulrush evergreen?
No, it is deciduous. The foliage dies back after the growing season and regrows from the base each spring.
Is Rufous Bulrush toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Rufous Bulrush as toxic to livestock.
Is Rufous Bulrush HOA-friendly?
Rufous Bulrush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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