Cattail vs. Bulrush: What’s the Difference?

• Bulrush

  Bulrushes is the vernacular name for several large wetland grass-like plants in the sedge family (Cyperaceae).

  The name is particularly applied to several sedge family genera:

  Cyperus, the genus which includes the plant species likely referred to in the Biblical account of the Ark of bulrushes

  Scirpus a genus commonly known as bulrushes in North America, which in previous circumscriptions has also included species now classified in the genera:

  Blysmus

  Bolboschoenus

  Scirpoides

  Isolepis

  Schoenoplectus

  TrichophorumOutside of the sedge family, the name is used for Typha, a genus in the family Typhaceae. The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland recommends “bulrush” as a common name for plants in the genus Typha. These species are sometimes known as reed mace in the United Kingdom. They are sometimes also called cattails.

  One particular famous story involving bulrushes is that of the ark of bulrushes in the Book of Exodus. In this story, it is said that the infant Moses was found in a boat made of bulrushes. Within the context of the story, this is probably paper reed (Cyperus papyrus).

  When fish make beds over bulrush, they sweep away the sand, exposing the roots. This dense region of roots provides excellent cover for young fish.

• Cattail (noun)

  Any of several perennial herbs, of the genus Typha, that have long flat leaves, and grow in marshy places

• Bulrush (noun)

  Any of several wetland plants, mostly in the family Cyperaceae (the sedges):

• Bulrush (noun)

  Sedges in the genera noshow=1 or noshow=1 (formerly considered Scirpus), having clusters of spikelets.

• Bulrush (noun)

  Cattails or reedmace, in the genus Typha

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