Spike Rush Eleocharis montevidensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- el-ee-OK-ar-iss mon-tay-vid-EN-sis
- Description
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Spike Rush is a widespread coastal plant native to the USA. It grows in moist, sandy spots in various habitat locations as lakes, riverbanks, wet meadows, woodlands, and springs. The leaves are thin and hair-like and the flower spikes resemble small cones. It can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seeds. Spike Rush can be grown in a 1-2 gallon pot covered with 1-2 inches of water. They are also used in aquariums.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eleocharis
- Species:
- montevidensis
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Water Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny rounded reddish spikelets resembling cones at tips of stems April- Aug.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Grass-like leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Problems:
- Weedy
