Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis
Needle spike rush
Photo: parent species Eleocharis acicularis · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis (Needle spike rush) is a native California perennial in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by 23 co-occurring species; clear diagnostic features are short stature and bulb-like base.
Needle spike rush is a California native perennial found in northern coastal California, the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and Sacramento Valley in fresh wet soils and underwater habitats at elevations below 3,300 meters. Flowering from late spring to summer, this delicate rush produces tiny inconspicuous flowers. Growing with thin stems to 6 centimeters tall that have 5 to 8 distinct ridges and a corm-like base, the plant forms dense clusters in wet environments. Its stems are slender and bright green, often appearing as fine, needle-like clusters in water or muddy areas. The fruit is compact, less than twice as long as its width, contributing to the plant's subtle, delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 co-occurring species; clear diagnostic features are short stature and bulb-like base
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Fresh wet soil to deeply submersed
Elevation: < 3300 m
Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico
Bloom period
Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis 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. occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis bloom?
Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis blooms Late spring-summer.
What plant family does Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis belong to?
Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Eleocharis.
What habitat does Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis grow in?
Eleocharis acicularis var. occidentalis grows in Common. 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.