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(Eleocharis acuta)
Common Spikerush (Eleocharis acuta)
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Penelope Noel Gillette
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Penelope Noel Gillette
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Penelope Noel Gillette | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Penelope Noel Gillette | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-04-04T11:42:58-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Eleocharis acuta, commonly known as Common Spikerush, is an evergreen perennial sedge native to wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and along the edges of ponds and streams in Eastern Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands. It often forms dense colonies in its natural habitat, contributing to the ecosystem by stabilizing soil and providing habitat for wildlife. This sedge typically reaches a height of 0.7 meters (2.3 ft) and features grass-like, slender green stems. The brown, spikelet flowers appear between September and December, though they are not particularly showy.
Common Spikerush is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in water gardens, rain gardens, and for erosion control along waterways. It is also suitable for aquatic and bog gardens due to its high water requirement. Eleocharis acuta prefers full sun to part shade and grows best in soils with slow to standing water drainage, making it an excellent choice for areas that are consistently moist or flooded. While it is generally low-maintenance, care should be taken to control its spread in small garden ponds or confined spaces, as it can become invasive outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Common Spikerush is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in water gardens, rain gardens, and for erosion control along waterways. It is also suitable for aquatic and bog gardens due to its high water requirement. Eleocharis acuta prefers full sun to part shade and grows best in soils with slow to standing water drainage, making it an excellent choice for areas that are consistently moist or flooded. While it is generally low-maintenance, care should be taken to control its spread in small garden ponds or confined spaces, as it can become invasive outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High, Aquatic
- Drainage: Slow, Standing
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
native to wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and along the edges of ponds and streams in Eastern Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands
Other Names
Common Names: Small Spikerush
Scientific Names: , Eleocharis acuta, Eleocharis acuta var. platylepis, Eleocharis mucronulata, Eleocharis acuta var. pallens, Eleocharis acuta var. tenuis, Eleocharis ambigua, Eleocharis gracilis, Eleocharis mucronulata var. minor, Eleocharis palustris var. mucronulata
GBIF Accepted Name: Eleocharis acuta R.Br.