What Is Tule Grass?
Tule grass belongs to the plant family Cyperaceae and is native to North American wetlands. It's also known as common tule, hardstem tule, tule rush and viscid bulrush. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Tule grass has thick, rounded green stems that can grow as high as 10 feet tall. The stems produce long, grass-like leaves and clustered, brown flowers.
Function
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Tule grass is important to the environment. It helps protect against wind and rain erosion, allowing other plants and wildlife to flourish. March wrens often use the reeds to construct their nests.
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Location
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Tule grass grows in freshwater wetlands. It's particularly prevalent in California, even inspiring the names of several places such as Tulare and Tule Lake.
Uses
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The Native Americans of California used tule grass to make clothing, mats, baskets, boats and huts.
Fun Fact
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The word tule comes from the Aztec word "tullin," which referred to a group of plants including cattail and bulrush.
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