Table 1. Emergent plants for constructed wetlands (adapted from Schueler 1992 and Thunhorst 1993).
Recommended Species | Scientific Name | Maximum Water Depth* (Inches) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Arrow arum | Peltandra virginicaW | 12 | Full sun to partial shade. High wildlife value. Foliage and rootstocks are not eaten by geese or muskrats. Slow grower. pH: 5.0-6.5. |
Arrowhead/duck potato | W | 12 | Aggressive colonizer. Mallards and muskrats can rapidly consume tubers. Loses much water through transpiration. |
Common three-square bulrush | Scirpus pungensW | 6 | Fast colonizer. Can tolerate periods of dryness. High metal removal. High waterfowl and songbird value. |
Softstem bulrush | Scirpus validusW | 12 | Aggressive colonizer. Full sun. High pollutant removal. Provides food and cover for many species. of birds. pH: 6.5-8.5. |
Blue flag iris | W | 6 | Attractive flowers. Can tolerate partial shade but requires full sun to flower. Prefers acidic soil. Tolerant of high nutrient levels. Maximum water depth varies from 3 to 6 inches. |
Broad-leaved cattail** | W | 18 | Aggressive. Tubers eaten by muskrat and beaver. High pollutant treatment, pH: 3.0-8.5. Maximum water depth varies from 12 to 18 inches. |
Narrow-leaved cattail** | W | 12 | Aggressive. Tubers eaten by muskrat and beaver. Tolerates brackish water. pH : 3.7-8.5. |
Reed canary grass | Phalaris arundinoceaW | 6 | Grows on exposed areas and in shallow water. Good ground cover for berms. |
Lizard's tail | W | 6 | Rapid grower. Shade tolerant. Low wildlife value except for wood ducks. |
Pickerelweed | Pontedaria cordataW | 12 | Full sun to partial shade. Moderate wildlife value. Nectar for butterflies. pH: 6.0-8.0. |
Common reed** | W | 3 | Highly invasive; considered a pest species in many states. Poor wildlife value. pH: 3.7-8.0. |
Soft rush | W | 3 | Tolerates wet or dry conditions. Food for birds. Often grows in tussocks or hummocks. |
Spikerush | W | 3 | Tolerates partial shade. |
Sedges | Carex spp.W | 3 | Many wetland and several upland species. High wildlife value for waterfowl and songbirds. |
Spatterdock | W | 60 | Tolerant of fluctuating water levels. Moderate food value for wildlife, high cover value. Tolerates acidic water (to pH 5.0). Maximum water depth varies from 24 inches to 60 inches. |
Sweet flag | W | 3 | Produces distinctive flowers. Not a rapid colonizer. Tolerates acidic conditions. Tolerant of dry periods and partial shade. Low wildlife value. |
Wild rice | W | 12 | Requires full sun. High wildlife value (seeds, plant parts, and rootstocks are food for birds). Eaten by muskrats. Annual, nonpersistent. Does not reproduce vegetatively. |
*These depths can be tolerated, but plant growth and survival may decline under permanent inundation at these depths.
**Not recommended for stormwater wetlands because they are highly invasive, but can be used in treatment wetlands if approved by regulatory agencies.
This data adapted from: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/hand.pdf