Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Club-rush

CLUB-RUSH, or Scirpus, L. a native genus of plants, consisting of twelve species: the following are the principal:

1. The palustris, or marsh creeping club-rush, which thrives on the banks of rivers, ponds, and ditches, and is chiefly found in the western parts of England. It is perennial, grows from six inches to two feet high, and flowers in the month of June or July. Hogs eagerly devour the roots of this species when fresh, but will not touch them when dry. They are also eaten by goats and horses, but relused by cows and sheep.

2. The lacustris. See Bull-rush.

3. The maritimus, or salt-marsh club-rush, which is found on the sea-coast near Yarmouth, and also near Shirley-wych, Stafford. It is perennial, and flowers in the month of July or August. Cows eat this plant; and its tuberous roots, when dried and ground to powder, have, in times of scarcity, been used as a good substitute for flour.