Spike Rush Eleocharis montevidensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- el-ee-OK-ar-iss mon-tay-vid-EN-sis
- Description
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Spike rush is a widespread coastal plant in the Cyperaceae (sedge) family native to the USA. It grows in moist, sandy spots in various habitat locations as lakes, riverbanks, wet meadows, woodlands, and springs.
It grows quickly to a height of 6 to 18 inches in erect clumps. Spike rush prefers full sun to partial shade and wet sandy soils. It withstands being submerged in water. The leaves are thin and hair-like, giving it a fine texture, and the flower spikes resemble small cones. This plant can be propagated by root division or seed. All parts of the plant are eaten by many species of waterfowl and shorebirds.
Use in small groups or mass planted along pond margins, rain gardens, or wet sites in the landscape. Spike rush can be grown in a 1 to 2 gallon pot covered with 1 to 2 inches of water. It is also used in water gardens and aquariums.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seeds.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eleocharis
- Species:
- montevidensis
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & S. U.S.A., S. America
- Distribution:
- AL , AZ , CA , CO , FL , GA , KS , LA , MS , NC , NM , OK , SC , TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides food for waterfowl and shorebirds. Serves as a host plant for Yellow-Collared Scape Moth and Thopeulis forbesellus.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Water Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Oval achenes are oval and brown
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Rounded reddish spikelets resembling cones at tips of stems April- Aug. have several tiny flowers covered in brownish bracts
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Grass or hair-like leaves that are red or purple at the base and green on the upper leaves up to 20 inches tall.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Round green stems with reddish bases
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
