Cladium mariscus, (L.) Pohl

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1980, Flora Europaea. Volume 5. Alismataceae to Orchidaceae (Monocotyledones), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 288

1. C. mariscus (L.) Pohl , Tent. FI. Bohem. 1: 32 (1809).

Plant robust, with far-creeping rhizomes, forming extensive pure stands. Stems 125-250 cm, hollow, leafy. Leaves up to 200 cm, persisting for several years; sheath broad, brown, fibrous; lamina 10-15 mm wide at base, tapered to a narrow, triquetrous apex, glaucous, hard and rigid, sharply keeled, with cutting, serrulate margins. Panicle 30-70 x 5-12 cm, with sheathing bracts; clusters with 5-10 spikelets. Spikelets 3-4 mm, ovoid; uppermost flower usually male. Upper 1-3 glumes fertile, the lower 2-4 sterile and smaller. Nut c. 3 mm, shining brown. In = 36, c. 60. Fens and lake-margins, usually in base-rich water. Europe, northwards to 62° 15' N. in C. Finland. All except Fa Is Rs (N) SbTu.