Eleocharis parishii
Parish's spike rush
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cyperaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Eleocharis parishii (Parish's spike rush) is a native California grass in the Cyperaceae family, recognized by 26 co-occurring species; narrow spikelet shape and non-recurved bracts distinguish from E. montevidensis.
Parish's spike rush is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, northern Coast Ranges, Great Valley, and southern California desert mountains in fresh streams, vernal pools, and riparian woodlands at elevations of 500 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from late spring through fall, this rush produces small, narrow-lanceolate spikes 3 to 20 millimeters long with multiple brown flower bracts. Growing with slender stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it has a tough rhizome approximately 0.7 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Its leaf sheaths are firm and persistent, with some having a small tooth up to 1 millimeter long. The fruit is tiny, three-sided, and smooth, with vestigial perianth bristles that may slightly exceed the small tubercle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 co-occurring species; narrow spikelet shape and non-recurved bracts distinguish from E. montevidensis
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common. Fresh streams, vernal pools, foothill and riparian woodland, pine forest
Elevation: 500-2300 m
California counties: Inyo, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Alameda, Monterey, Butte, Glenn, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Mendocino, Mono, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tulare, Shasta, Colusa, Fresno, Marin, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, Calaveras, Tehama, Plumas, Contra Costa, Mariposa, Orange, Placer, El Dorado, Napa
Outside California: to Oregon, Kansas, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Eleocharis parishii blooms Late spring-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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Eleocharis parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eleocharis parishii bloom?
Eleocharis parishii blooms Late spring-fall.
Where in California does Eleocharis parishii grow?
Eleocharis parishii occurs in Inyo, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Alameda and other counties, at elevations of 500-2300 m.
What plant family does Eleocharis parishii belong to?
Eleocharis parishii is in the Cyperaceae family, genus Eleocharis.
What habitat does Eleocharis parishii grow in?
Eleocharis parishii grows in Locally common. Fresh streams, vernal pools, foothill and riparian woodland, pine forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.