Eleocharis microcarpa

small-fruit spikerush, smallfruit spikerush
Family

Cyperaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear

Growth Form

graminoid, emergent aquatic, aquatic

Flower Color

inconspicuous

Flower Month

May - November

Height (meters)

0.0 - 0.4

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

annual

Growing Season

Warm season


Wetland Class

OBL

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

4

Field Characters

Grows in small clumps with many hair-like culms about 0.15 m in height. Similar to Eleocharis tuberculosa in size and appearance, but has a large turbercle which is as big as the achene, while E. microcarpa has a small turbercle (the persistent base of the style that forms a cap at the apex of the achene. Stems fine and capillary, stands upright. Purple base and soft, flexible stem.

Cultural Information

No treatment is required for germination (Steffen 1997).

Animal Use

Cattle may graze early herbage, otherwise it has little forage value.

Natural History

Mostly in coastal areas in sandy loam soils.

Habitat

Bogs, savannas, and ditches.