California bullrush, Southern bulrush
Schoenoplectus californicus

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A sedge. These grow in clumps and have grass like leaves and solid stalks. It grows 2 m tall. It has spreading rhizomes.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet places. It grows in fresh marshes and along shores. It can grow from sea level to 1,400 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falklands, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, North America, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Uruguay, USA

How it is used for food

The rhizome and the lower 25 cm of the stem are baked and eaten or dried for later use.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Estoquilla, Junco, Nadi, Tagua-tagua, Tahua-tahua, Totora, Tromen, Tule

Synonyms

Dichromena atrosanguinea E. Desv.; Elytrospermum californicum C. A. Mey.; Malacochaeta assimilis Ces.; Scirpus californicus (C. A. Mey.) Steud.; and others