This green, grass-like native sedge can be recognized by the oval-shaped, brownish-flowering spikes at the tips of smooth, round stems. These spike-rush species grow individually, in clumps along shorelines or in shallow water, sometimes forming ankle-high turf-like mats. Needle spike-rush often looks hair-like when growing underwater. Like other rushes, seeds and stems are important food for waterfowl and mammals, provide habitat for amphibians and fish, and help stabilize shorelines.