Any of the annual or perennial grasslike plants constituting the genus Scirpus , especially S. lacustris , in the sedge family , that bear solitary or much-clustered spikelets.
Bulrushes grow in wet locations, including ponds, marshes, and lakes. Their stems are often used to weave strong mats, baskets, and chair seats. Bulrushes may act as a filter, absorbing poisonous metals and toxic microorganisms, thus helping to reduce water pollution. In Britain, the term bulrush refers to either of two cattails ( Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia ).