Home Prairie and Wetland Center
16245 S US Hwy 71
Belton, MO 64012
Tel: (816) 331-9738
Fax: (816) 331-9739

Eleocharis acicularis

Needle Spike Rush

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Eleocharis acicularis (Needle Spike Rush)

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.

Additional Information:


Height
10-15 Inches

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Spread
-12 Inches

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USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

Home Owner Growing and Maintenance Tips:
This sedge is suitable as pond plant because it usually survives the wintertime.

Good Companions
Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta), Blunt Spike Rush (Eleocharis obtusa), Creeping Spike Rush (Eleocharis palustris), Small's Spike Rush (Eleocharis smallii), Blue Flag (Iris versicolor), Southern Blue Flag (Iris virginica var. shrevei), Soft Rush (Juncus effusus), Torrey's Rush (Juncus torreyi)

Characteristics & Attributes

Hydrologic Designation

OBL

Root

Rhizomes

Season of Interest

Late (July-frost)

Soil Moisture

High

Special Uses

Bog

Sun Exposure

Full Sun

USFS MO Ecological Map

Wildlife Benefit

Food/Birds
Cover
Food/Small Animals