Schoenus is a predominately austral genus of sedges,[2] commonly known as bogrushes,[3] or veldrushes in South Africa.

[5][6][7][8][9][10] Three species occur in the peatlands of southern South America, including S. antarcticus which is found in Tierra del Fuego, where it forms a component of hyperhumid Magellanic moorland.

[11] Taxonomic attention to the South African taxa, starting 2017, revealed a wealth of species.

[12] Schoenus has also been used to represent ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman units of length and area based on knotted cords.

[14][15][16][17] As of November 2024[update], the Plants of the World Online database indicates there are 154 species of Schoenus.