Schoenoplectus acutus has a thick, rounded green stem growing to 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) tall, with long, grasslike leaves, and radially symmetrical, clustered, pale brownish flowers.

[1][2] Tules at shorelines play an important ecological role, helping to buffer against wind and water forces, thereby allowing the establishment of other types of plants and reducing erosion.

Flour can be made by peeling and cutting up the older roots, crushing and boiling them, removing any fiber, and drying.

[3] Dyed and woven, tules are used to make baskets, bowls, mats, hats, clothing, duck decoys, and even boats by Native American groups.

The young sprouts and shoots can be eaten raw and the rhizomes and unripe flower heads can be boiled as vegetables.

The giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) was historically closely associated with tule marshes in California's Central Valley.