Small Spike-sedge

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Small Spike-sedge - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann

Eleocharis pusilla

Small erect semi-aquatic herb 30-90 cm tall, with arching stems to 25 cm tall. Slender rhizomes that can spread up to 2 m or more. Stems erect, 0.5 mm diameter. Foliage is dark green. Flowers are small linear dark brown spikelets up to 30 mm long and 3-7 mm wide. The straw-coloured nut is narrow and oval in shape, 0.7-1.1 mm long and 0.4-0.6 mm in diameter.

Details
Flora Type
Sedges, rushes
Distinctive Features

Emergent narrow leaves.

Biology

Perennial. Found in mud and shallow water in saltmarshes and grassy wetlands.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Sep-Apr

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Poales
Family
Cyperaceae
Genus
Eleocharis
Species
pusilla

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Small Spike-sedge can take over shallow dams and ponds. The black fleshy berry and the fleshy tuberous roots of some Eleocharis species were used as a food source by Aboriginal people, as well as the stems for weaving and basket-making.

Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native