Needle Spikerush
Eleocharis acicularis
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Corse, Costa Rica, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Labrador, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palau, Panamá, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Spain, Sumatera, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, United States, Vietnam
iNaturalist: © lrasran (iNaturalist #310799450)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Eleocharis
- Species:
- Eleocharis acicularis
- USDA Symbol:
- ELAC
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, shorebirds, muskrats
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in wetlands and shallow water areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in saturated soil or shallow water with exposure to light.
Pre-treatment: Seeds were cold stratified for 90 days and sown into 4" deep square flats with Sunshine # 1, a soil-less, peat-based media, amended with micro-nutrients (Micromax) and a slow-release fertilizer (Osmocote 14-14-14). Flats were left outside over winter for natural stratification.
Source: npn.rngr.net