Eleocharis cellulosa
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
What Is Gulf Coast Spikerush?
Physical Characteristics
Leaves:
- Egg-shaped
- 0.2-0.23 inches long
- 0.13-0.14 inches wide
- Distinctive midrib
Flowers:
- 50-90 flowers per spikelet
- Cylindrical
- 7.5-14.25 inches long
- 0.14-0.2 inches thick
Fruit:
- One seeded
- Does not open to release fruit when ripe
- Slightly bulging on both sides
- Brownish in color
Stem:
- Grow in clusters
- Hollow stems
- 1.75-2.75 feet long
- Straight
- Sheaths reddish in color
Where Does it Grow?
Gulf Coast spikerush can be found in fresh water and mud. They occasionally form mats in shallow water.
Pros and Cons of Gulf Coast Spikerush
Docks, geese, muskrats, and nutria all eat portions of spike rushes, from seeds, to rhizomes and tubers. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.