Eleocharis tortilis
twisted spikerush
Family
Cyperaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
linear
Growth Form
graminoid
Flower Color
inconspicuous
Flower Month
July - September
Height (meters)
0.1 - 0.8
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Wetland Class
FACW
Field Characters
Eleocharis tortilis and E. tuberculosa are similar species. Both have distinctively shiny, honey-combed achene surfaces. Stem 3-angled and twisted in E. tortilis. Stem terete to flattened in E. tuberculosa. Achenes with bristles in both species. Bristles with retrorse teeth (barbs) in E. tortilis. Bristles with teeth but these not retrorsus in E. tuberculosa. Tubercle thick and spongy in E. tuberculosa. Tubercle conical and abruptly tapering in E. tortilis.
Habitat
Moist sandy soil, swamps, bogs, savannas.