Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Western Wetland Flora
Field Office Guide to Plant Species Eleocharis rostellata
(Torr.) Torr. - Family: Sedge (Cyperaceae) - Flowering: June-
August - Field Marks: This spikerush is recognized by its
flattened stems, its spikelets 1/3-1/2 inch long, its beaked
achenes, and its empty lowest scale of the spikelets. - Habitat:
Marshes, often in alkaline or salty areas. - Habit: Perennial
herb with stout, vertical rhizomes. - Stems: Flattened, up to 3
feet tall, bearing a single spikelet and no leaves. - Leaves: 0.
- Flowers: 5-25 in a spikelet, the spikelet 1/3-1/2 inch long;
scales with a pale border and central area, the lowest one
empty. - Sepals: 0. - Petals: 0. - Stamens: 3. - Pistils: Ovary
superior; stigmas 3. - Fruits: Achenes more or less triangular,
tapering to an elongated beak, light green to pale brown,
1/10-1/8 inch long, subtended by a few bristles usually longer
than the achenes. - Notes: The achenes are eaten by waterfowl.
Previous Species -- Few-flower S