2 to 4 feet tall. Leaves long, flat, grass-like, about a foot and a half long, rough on the edges. Flowers brown, in a crowded, terminal cluster, composed of smaller clusters. Inflorescence has 3 or more leaf-like bracts beneath it, very narrow, at least one longer than the inflorescence. Ultimate clusters (spikelets) oval, composed of many flowers with overlapping scales. Blooms in summer.

Native plant of moist to wet places, preferring full sun. Occasional in the Park in ditches and wetlands.

Despite the name, bulrushes are sedges, not rushes. Red Bulrush has a looser, nodding cluster of flowers.