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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Eleocharis equisetoides

Eleocharis equisetoides (Elliott) Torr.

Jointed Spikesedge

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonym(s): Eleocharis elliottii, Scirpus equisetoides

USDA Symbol: ELEQ

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Listed as an endangered species in Canada but not the US. Habitat is limited in Canada to Long Point on Lake Erie.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Spikelet , Terminal
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Yellow to brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent. Bloom time denotes fruiting period for Eleocharis spp.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI
Canada: ON
Native Habitat: Fresh Water Aquatic

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Sand

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-MLE-15 Collected 2010-06-17 in Hardin County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Eleocharis equisetoides in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Eleocharis equisetoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eleocharis equisetoides

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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