Eleocharis palustris
Common spikerush
(c) Katrin Simon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Eleocharis palustris (Common spikerush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by 25 co-occurring species; very similar to E. macrostachya, distinguished by technical characters.
Common spikerush is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, Sierra Nevada, southern California coastal areas, Channel Islands, San Bernardin Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in fresh ponds, shores, and marshes at elevations below 3,000 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces small green to brown spikelets 5 to 25 millimeters long with compact flower clusters. Growing with slender cylindrical stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it spreads through a tough rhizome approximately 1.5 to 4 millimeters in diameter. Its leaf sheaths are firm and persistent, with tips ranging from obtuse to acute, and the plant develops compact spikes with 30 to 100 flower bracts. The fruit is small, measuring 1.1 to 2 millimeters long, with two-sided surfaces that are smooth or fine-roughened.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 25 co-occurring species; very similar to E. macrostachya, distinguished by technical characters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common. Fresh ponds, shores, marshes
Elevation: < 3000 m
Outside California: North America, Mexico, Eurasia, New Zealand
Bloom period
Eleocharis palustris blooms 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 palustris native to California?
Yes. Eleocharis palustris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eleocharis palustris bloom?
Eleocharis palustris blooms Summer.
What plant family does Eleocharis palustris belong to?
Eleocharis palustris is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Eleocharis.
What habitat does Eleocharis palustris grow in?
Eleocharis palustris grows in Locally common. Fresh ponds, shores, marshes.
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.