The giant bulrush or tule (Scirpus californicus = Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Meyer) Soják) is native to freshwater marshes across the southern United States and southward to Argentina and Chile. Disjunct populations are found in Hawaii, Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and the Cook Islands. Although called a rush, the tule is a member of the Cyperaceae, the sedge family.

The tule [too' lee or too' lay] received its name in 1772 when a large lake in what is now the San Joaquin Valley of California was discovered by Pedro Fages. The lake, no longer in existence, once covered 760 square miles. Fages named the area Los Tules for the vast marshes of bulrush. Tule probably came from the Spanish tullin meaning cattail. Large stands of tules became known as tulares.

Tulares are significant wetland habitats for many birds. Marsh wrens and blackbirds build nests in the stands. Migratory ducks are attracted both for the seeds and the shelter provided by the tall culms. Wading birds forage on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates that hide among the bulrushes and geese feed on the tender new shoots and roots.

Native Americans cut tules for mats and thatching for their houses. The thatching is both insulating and water-proof. Woven with grape vines, tules formed floats that one person could stand on and pole his way over water. Larger floats allowed several hunters or fishermen to travel out on to the water. Wide tule shoes allowed hunters to walk over muddy flats without sinking in the muck. Tule was used for basketry, baby diapers, sleeping mats, and 'grass' skirts and capes.

The Natives hunted ducks in the tule stands. The birds were caught by sinking nets and luring the birds to land and swim over the nets. The nets were quickly drawn up, trapping the flock. The lures to attract the ducks were decoys woven and shaped from tules.

The National Museum of the American Indian, part of the Smithsonian Institution, has a photograph of two tule decoys which were part of a cache of decoys found in Humboldt County, Nevada. The decoys were made around 1800 years ago. To view the photograph and learn more about the cache, click on the link: http://www.si.edu/harcourt/nmai/exhibit/excreat3.htm

(Compiled from: "Scirpus californicus", R.P. Wunderlin & B.F. Hansen, Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants, Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, 2004; "California Bulrush, Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Palla", Michelle Stevens and Chris Hoag, Plant Guide, NRCS, US Department of Agriculture, 2003; and "Schoenoplectus californicus", Volume 23, Flora of North America, eFloras.org, 2004)