Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants What plant is this?

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!

seantOH

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 think it's a type of rush too: http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/bulrush/

Is that a tall grassy plant in the background? If so, you DON'T want that one in your pond!

I'd like to know what the brown plant is in the lower right corner of picture #2.

Looks like Bullrush to me.

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'

Kelly, thoughts on the brown plant in the lower right corner?

Pikes enjoy living near these

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQVErIuMrRg
http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/plantid/pdf/softstem_bulrush_08.pdf
http://www.kswildflower.org/sedge_details.php?sedgeID=19
http://lrrd.co.langlade.wi.us/shoreland/docs/soft-stembulrush.pdf

Three square bullrush: Scirpus pungens old name S.americanus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlrLbJxdK-Q

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!!

seantOH