Eleocharis ovata
Ovate spikerush
(c) Thomas Gyselinck, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Eleocharis ovata (Ovate spikerush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by 10 co-occurring species; ovate spikelet shape and rounded fruit tips.
Ovate spikerush is a California native annual found in the central coast and eastern Sierra Nevada regions in fresh drying lake shore sands at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering during summer and fall, this delicate plant produces tiny flowers in compact spikes less than 8 millimeters long. Growing in tufted clusters with thin cylindrical stems 2 to 35 centimeters tall, it forms dense, low-growing colonies. Its leaf sheaths are firm and persistent, with subtle obtuse tips featuring a minute tooth-like projection less than 0.2 millimeters long. The small fruit is smooth, rounded, and accompanied by 5 to 7 perianth bristles that extend slightly beyond the flat, adherent tubercle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 co-occurring species; ovate spikelet shape and rounded fruit tips are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rare in California. Fresh drying soil (sand) of lake shores
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Alberta, Minnesota to Newfoundland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Europe
Bloom period
Eleocharis ovata blooms Summer-fall.
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 ovata native to California?
Yes. Eleocharis ovata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eleocharis ovata bloom?
Eleocharis ovata blooms Summer-fall.
What plant family does Eleocharis ovata belong to?
Eleocharis ovata is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Eleocharis.
What habitat does Eleocharis ovata grow in?
Eleocharis ovata grows in Rare in California. Fresh drying soil (sand) of lake shores.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.