Pale Spike-sedge
Eleocharis pallens
Densely tufted sedge to 1 m, strongly ribbed stems. Pale brown to tawny sharply pointed flowerhead.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Sedges, rushes |
| Distinctive Features | Very short rhizome. Flower stems are strongly ridged and appear to glisten between the ridges. |
| Biology | Perennial aquatic. Moist heavy clay soils in grassy wetlands that dry out in summer. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Nov-Apr |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Cyperaceae |
| Genus | Eleocharis |
| Species | pallens |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Similar to E. acuta but disringuished by paler flower, shorter rhizome, and large pitted cells between the ridges on the stems that glisten. |
| Native Status | Native |