Rannooch-rush is a flowering plant in the Scheuchzeriaceae family. It is the only species and genus in this family. It is found in boggy swampy areas all over the northern hemisphere of the world. Though it is sometimes called pod-grass it is not a member of the grass family (Poaceae). It is easily missed as it is not a showy plant but can be identified through its tri-capsuled fruits or its small open holes at the tip of each leaf.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Grass-like leaves smooth margins, no hairs, stalkless and an open hole at the end. Lower leaves can reach a length of 16" and width of 1/8" but get smaller as they ascend the stems. Leaf bases sheath the stem and have a membrane where it meets the blade
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
1/4" wide 3 to 6 stalked flowers with six tepals each on a raceme alternately arranged on a stem. Flowers are purple brown to creamy white in color.
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Three parted capsules with two seeds each green maturing to yellow 1/4" long. Seeds are elliptic, and dark brown 4 mm long.