Canada Spikesedge
Eleocharis geniculata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Andaman Is., Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Borneo, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Central American Pacific Is., Chad, Chagos Archipelago, China, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Colombia, Congo, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Gilbert Is., Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jawa, Kenya, Lebanon-Syria, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Niger, Nigeria, Norfolk Is., Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panamá, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Society Is., Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka
iNaturalist: © stevemaldonadosilvestrini (iNaturalist #111732510)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Eleocharis
- Species:
- Eleocharis geniculata
- USDA Symbol:
- ELGE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- brown
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, shorebirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- wet, nutrient-rich, clay or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in wetlands and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in saturated or flooded conditions with warm temperatures. Light may enhance germination.