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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Beaked Spikerush
Eleocharis rostellata (Torr.) Torr.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Sedge (Cyperaceae)
Flowering: June-August
Field Marks: This spikerush is recognized by its flattened stems, its spikelets 1/3-1/2 inch long, its beaked achenes, and its empty lowest scale of the spikelets.
Habitat: Marshes, often in alkaline or salty areas.
Habit: Perennial herb with stout, vertical rhizomes.
Stems: Flattened, up to 3 feet tall, bearing a single spikelet and no leaves.
Leaves: 0.
Flowers: 5-25 in a spikelet, the spikelet 1/3-1/2 inch long; scales with a pale border and central area, the lowest one empty.
Sepals: 0.
Petals: 0.
Stamens: 3.
Pistils: Ovary superior; stigmas 3.
Fruits: Achenes more or less triangular, tapering to an elongated beak, light green to pale brown, 1/10-1/8 inch long, subtended by a few bristles usually longer than the achenes.
Notes: The achenes are eaten by waterfowl.

Previous Species -- Few-flower Spikerush (Eleocharis pauciflora)
Return to Species List -- Group 3
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:24:45 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww55]