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Native Plant Database

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Eleocharis montevidensis (Sand spikerush)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Eleocharis montevidensis Kunth

Sand spikerush

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

USDA Symbol: elmo2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The graceful, hairlike leaves of this spikerush are seen almost anywhere there are low-lying wet areas in full sun. Growing in dense mats, it can cover many meters with its delicate foliage and dainty, cone-like flowerheads.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Spikelet
Leaf: bright yellowish green
Flower: Flower tiny
Fruit: Yellow to brown tiny
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Minute, reddish cone

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , CA , CO , FL , GA , KS , LA , MS , NC , NM , OK , SC , TX
Native Distribution: North America south to South America
Native Habitat: Moist, low-lying areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2) , Acidic (pH<6.8) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Acidic to alkaline both okay, as long as there is sufficient moisture. Can tolerate some brackishness.
Conditions Comments: In moist to marshy, seasonally flooded areas in full sun.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: All parts eaten by many species of waterfowl and shore birds.
Use Other: Good as a lawn replacement for low, wet areas.
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1036 Collected 2011-06-07 in Montgomery County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Eleocharis montevidensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Eleocharis montevidensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eleocharis montevidensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-01-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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