spikerushes

Spikerushes are perennial, herbaceous plants in the genus Eleocharis, part of the sedge family Cyperaceae. They are commonly referred to as spikerushes or spikesedges and occur in wetlands, marshes, along riverbanks, and at the edges of ponds and lakes worldwide. Spikerushes are typically adapted to saturated soils and shallow standing water.

Morphology and identification rules are varied across species, but most spikerushes share a few features. They have slender, often cylindrical stems that rise from creeping rhizomes. Leaves are usually reduced to sheaths at the base of the stem. The flowering shoot bears a compact, terminal inflorescence composed of many tiny spikelets, sometimes enclosed by specialized bracts. The fruits are small, dry achenes.

Ecology and habitat relationships: Spikerushes form dense mats or stands in suitable habitats, contributing to sediment stabilization and erosion control. They provide cover and food for various aquatic invertebrates and waterfowl. Because they tolerate wet, periodically flooded conditions, they are common in natural wetlands and in constructed wetlands used for water treatment or habitat restoration.

Uses and cultivation: Several species are popular in horticulture and aquariums. Eleocharis acicularis, known as needle spikerush, and Eleocharis parvula, the dwarf spikerush, are commonly used as low-growing aquatic ground cover in ponds, water gardens, and aquascaping. Spikerushes can spread vegetatively via rhizomes and seeds and may establish aggressively in favorable conditions.

Notes: The term spikerush encompasses a range of species with varying shapes and growth habits, but all share their affinity for moist or aquatic environments and their characteristic spikelet-inflorescence.