Skip to main content

Sea Club-rush

Bolboschoenus maritimus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Sea Club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus)
Photo: (c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by W. Terry Hunefeld

Toxicity unknown

Sea Club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus) 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 Sea Club-rush as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, CT and 28 more states

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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast RangePuget LowlandMarine West Coast ForestNorthwestern Forested MountainsCentral California Foothills and Coastal MountainsCentral California ValleySouthern California MountainsNorth American DesertsCentral Basin and RangeMojave Basin and RangeSouthern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsNorthwestern Glaciated PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsGreat PlainsNorthern Glaciated PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and RangeAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine BarrensSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Sea club-rush is a tall wetland sedge that forms dense clumps in consistently moist to wet soils. It produces distinctive brown, club-like flower clusters in summer and thrives in full sun bog gardens or rain gardens. This plant requires constant moisture and will struggle in typical landscape conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Appears very wild and marsh-like
  • Requires wet conditions uncommon in typical landscaping
  • Can spread aggressively in suitable conditions

Wildlife value

The seeds provide food for waterfowl and wetland birds, while the dense growth offers nesting habitat for marsh birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Sea Club-rush need?
Sea Club-rush grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Sea Club-rush bloom?
Sea Club-rush blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Sea Club-rush native?
Sea Club-rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, CT and 28 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Sea Club-rush toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sea Club-rush as toxic to livestock.
Is Sea Club-rush HOA-friendly?
Sea Club-rush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

Ready to grow Sea Club-rush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden
iPhone appAndroid app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz