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.