A type of marsh plant with thick, round stems, similar to or confused with cattails; also spelled bulrush.
From 'bull' (possibly meaning large or coarse) + 'rush' (from Old English rysc, a wetland plant). The 'bull' prefix distinguishes it as the larger, coarser variety of rush.
Medieval basket makers prized bullrushes because their thick stems were strong enough to weave into boat seats and chairs—they were the original 'sturdy' material before plastic!
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