Common Three-square Bulrush
CR

Common Three-square Bulrush

Schoenoplectus pungens

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoenoplectus_pungens

Overview

Schoenoplectus pungens is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family known as common threesquare, common three-square bulrush and sharp club-rush. It is a herbaceous emergent plant that is widespread across much of North and South America as well as Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

Three-square Bulrush faces severe threats from wetland habitat destruction and degradation due to urban development, agricultural conversion, and water management practices that alter natural hydrology. Climate change-induced shifts in precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events further threaten the specialized wetland ecosystems this species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

Three-square Bulrush inhabits freshwater and brackish wetlands including marshes, pond margins, ditches, and shallow water edges of lakes and slow-moving streams. The species typically grows in areas with fluctuating water levels and can tolerate both seasonal flooding and periodic drought conditions.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Round-headed Club-rushCR

Round-headed Club-rush

Scirpoides holoschoenus

Unknown
Tawny SedgeCR

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Carex pallidulaVU

Carex pallidula

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Tufted ClubrushVU

Tufted Clubrush

Trichophorum cespitosum

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Common Three-square Bulrush classified as Critically Endangered?
Common Three-square Bulrush is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Three-square Bulrush faces severe threats from wetland habitat destruction and degradation due to urban development, agricultural conversion, and water management practices that alter natural hydrology. Climate change-induced shifts in precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events further threaten the specialized wetland ecosystems this species depends upon.
Where does Common Three-square Bulrush live?
Common Three-square Bulrush occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Common Three-square Bulrush?
The main threats to Common Three-square Bulrush are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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