An investigation of taxonomic diversity in the North American members of Schoenoplectus (Rchb.) Palla and Schoenoplectiella Lye indicates the need to relocate species and varieties from Schoenoplectus sect. Actaeogeton (Rchb.) J. Raynal to Schoenoplectiella. A transfer of four taxa is proposed here: Schoenoplectiella purshiana (Fernald) Lye var. williamsii (Fernald) Shiels & Monfils, S. smithii (A. Gray) Shiels & Monfils var. smithii, S. smithii var. leviseta (Fassett) Shiels & Monfils, and S. smithii var. setosa (Fernald) Shiels & Monfils.