Plants of Louisiana

Eleocharis tuberculosa

cone-cup spikerush, tubercled spikerush, long-tubercled spikerush
Family

Cyperaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear

Growth Form

graminoid

Flower Color

inconspicuous

Flower Month

May - November

Height (meters)

0.2 - 0.8

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

annual, perennial

Growing Season

Warm season

Wetland Class

OBL

Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism

5

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

4

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.

Cultural Information

No treatment is required for germination (Steffen 1997).

Natural History

Found frequently in moist sand throughout the coastal states, from Nova Scotia to Texas.

Habitat

Bogs, savannas, and ditches, moist soils, especially sandy soils near coasts.