Scirpus affinis
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Genus
- Scirpus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
Root - raw or cooked[2]. Rich in starch..
- Plant part
- Root
Material uses
The plant is used to make roofs and walls of temporary shelters, it is also used as an insulation in walls etc and for weaving such things as mats[3].
- Product or use
- Insulation
- Product or use
- Thatching
- Product or use
- Weaving
Environment
- Range
- Europe to E. Asia.
- Habitat
- Wet and boggy more or less saline places[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- aquatic
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in 3cm of water. Only just cover the seed with soil[1]. The seed usually germinates fairly quickly. Prick out the plants when large enough to handle and plant out in their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. This species is not in 'Flora Europaea' even though it is said to be native to Europe. However, S. maritimus affinis.(Roth.)T.Norlindii. is mentioned in 'Flora Europaea' and it is quite likely that these two names are one and the same species. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any wet to moisture retentive ground, pond margins and shallow water in full sun or shade[1].
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7