I found this plant growing in a drainage ditch to the North of my pond. It is 5-6 feet tall, round, dark green and soft when you squeeze it. It feels like green onion tops when you smash it but it has a white cellulose like material on the inside. Also it has a small "flower" like appendage that comes out of the top of the stem and then falls off. What is it, is it invasive and should I put it in my pond? Thanks in advance!
Hard to tell, but it looks like a desirable version of rush. If you dig it up, you may be able to stuff it in pots and sell it. Grows in wet, looks nice, doesn't take over...
I agree Cecil. "round" with terminal tassles are both strong indicators. As for invasive, that's possible. Mostly depends on your pond's perimeter-depth, since bulrush usually doesn't do too well in water over 2'
One of several species of "spike" bulrush. I have several species around my ponds and wetlands. They make a great plant for naturalized edges and provide wildlife food.
Most likely soft stem bullrush. It can get pretty tall (upto 6-10ft depending) and create a wide band fairly deep (upto 5-6ft) around the pond where it limits access to the shorline, thus I do not like it. In larger waters where a boat is usually used it is okay. I prefer shorter shoreline plants such as the spike rushes, shorter rushes, iris, pickerel plants, and arrowheads. The triangular rush Scirpus pungens is common and does not get real tall -2-3ft and stays in slightly shallower water - see below. IMO it would be better in a pond than softstem bullrush.
Thank you to everyone who responded! Grows up to 10' tall and grows into 5-6 fow... hmmm guess I will try to keep it out of the pond then. Thanks again!!