Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens
Needle spike rush
Photo: parent species Eleocharis acicularis · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens (Needle spike rush) is a native California perennial in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by 24 co-occurring species; distinguished by stem ridging and fruit proportions.
Needle spike rush is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, northern coastal ranges, Sierra Nevada, and Sacramento Valley regions in fresh wet soil to deeply submersed habitats at elevations below 3,300 meters. Flowering from late spring to summer, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in slender spikes up to 8 millimeters long. Growing to 60 centimeters tall with stems often marked by 5 to 12 distinct ridges, it forms delicate, grass-like clumps in wet environments. Its stems are slender and needle-like, lacking a corm-like base, with each stem supporting a compact floral structure. The tiny fruits are less than twice as long as they are wide, contributing to its subtle, fine-textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 co-occurring species; distinguished by stem ridging and fruit proportions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fresh wet soil to deeply submersed
Elevation: < 3300 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Tennessee
Bloom period
Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens blooms Late spring-summer.
How to tell it apart
vs Carex: Eleocharis has single spikelet with no bracts below, Carex has leafy bracts and multiple spikes.; vs Isolepis: Eleocharis has no bracts below spikelet, Isolepis has conspicuous leaf-like bracts extending beyond flowers.; vs Schoenoplectus: Eleocharis has single terminal spikelet, Schoenoplectus has multiple spikelets in clusters.; vs Juncus: Eleocharis spikelets are flattened oval, Juncus flowers are round with visible petals in clusters.; vs Equisetum: Eleocharis has grass-like stems with flower spikelets, Equisetum has jointed hollow stems with cone-like structures.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens native to California?
Yes. Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens bloom?
Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens blooms Late spring-summer.
What plant family does Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens belong to?
Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Eleocharis.
What habitat does Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens grow in?
Eleocharis acicularis var. gracilescens grows in Fresh wet soil to deeply submersed.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.