Coastal Plain Spikerush
Eleocharis retroflexa
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Borneo, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, El Salvador, French Guiana, Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hainan, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jawa, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis-Futuna Is., Windward Is., Zambia
iNaturalist: © oryzias (iNaturalist #104862888)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Eleocharis
- Species:
- Eleocharis retroflexa
- USDA Symbol:
- ELRE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, shorebirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in wetland areas; prefers open, sunlit habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in saturated or shallowly flooded conditions with light exposure.