Common Spikerush
Eleocharis palustris
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Is., China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, United States, Yemen
iNaturalist: © joaotiagotavares (iNaturalist #311649968)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Eleocharis
- Species:
- Eleocharis palustris
- USDA Symbol:
- ELPA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- brown
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, shorebirds, muskrats
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire in wetland margins. Fire can reduce competing vegetation.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, waterlogged, organic soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in marshes and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require saturated or flooded conditions to germinate. Light may improve germination rates.
Pre-treatment: Cold, wet stratification for one month
Establishment: Seeds should be collected in mid-September in western Washington.
Source: npn.rngr.net