Montana Field Guide

Stems 3-sided, 10–200 cm. Leaf blades flat or folded, 1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence compact, of 1 to 6 sessile spikelets. Spikelets 7–20 mm long. Scales 3–6 mm long, glabrous, light brown to blackish; awn bent, 0.5–2 mm long. Flowers: bristles 4 to 8, shorter to as long as the achene; stigmas 2 or 3. Achene 2- or 3-sided, brown, ca. 3 mm long (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

Three-square Bulrush - Schoenoplectus pungens, native
*Perianth Bristles: 4-8, short to as long as the achene.
*Achene: Tipped with a skinny, short beak (style) that is not triangular or thickened.
*Scales: Awn bent, 0.5-2 mm long.
*Spikelets: Sessile, 6-12 mm long. Solitary, but usually some plants have at least 2 spikelets. Always with 1 long, leaf-like bract subtending the spikelets.
*Stems: Triangular, and often taller than Nevada Clubrush. Has internal cavities.
*Leaves: up to 4 mm wide.
*Habitat: saline or alkaline wetlands; inundated or not.

Nevada Clubrush - Amphiscirpus nevadensis, Native, SOC
*Perianth Bristles: 1-6, inconspicuous and shorter than the achene.
*Achene: Not tipped with a beak; style absent. Subtended by a scale.
*Scales: Awn absent.
*Spikelets: Solitary, but usually some plants have at least 2 spikelets; 6-12 mm long. Always with 1 long, leaf-like bract below (subtended) the spikelets.
*Stems: Round, wiry, and erect. Lacks internal cavities.
*Leaves: Basal and on lower stem, 0.5-2.0 mm wide.
*Habitat: Moist to wet alkaline wetlands, but not aquatic.

Usually saline or alkaline, wet meadows, marshes; plains, valleys (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).