bulrush

Meaning

1. A plant referred to in the story of Moses as growing along the banks of the Nile, which is believed to be the papyrus (Cyperus papyrus).
2. Any of various tall, narrow-leaved plants growing near water, especially cattail or reedmace, in the genus Typha.
3. Sedges in the genera Bolboschoenus or Schoenoplectus (formerly considered Scirpus), having clusters of spikelets.
4. (Australia) Any of various reed-like plants growing near water, especially Typha domingensis and Typha orientalis; cumbungi, wonga.

Synonyms

cattail

bullrush

nailrod

reed mace

reedmace

common rush

soft rush

cat’s-tail

Juncus effusus

rush

reed

Typha latifolia

medulla junci

papyrus

sedge

pearl millet

cattail millet

clubrush

typha

rush pith

juncus effusus linne

bulrushes

Translations

Typha latifolia

βούρλο

Binse

Simse

Scirpus

espadaña

Schoenoplectus spp.

πάπυρος

Typha

giunco

jonc

giunco di palude

Scirpus spp.

Typha domingensis

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbʊlɹʌʃ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bulrish

In summary

From Middle English bulrish, perhaps from bule (“bull”) (in the sense of "large") + rish (“rush”).