Bulrush

capensis: of the Cape

Robust aquatic perennial, up to 2.5 m, growing from a thick creeping rhizome. Leaves long and strap-shaped; flowering stems with characteristic terminal inflorescences; sexes separate. Male flowers a more slender spike above the densely packed, minute female flowers. Male part short-lived, female part turning deep velvety brown.

Common

Angola, Botswana, Namibia, DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.