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Morphology
- Culm
- Erect, long, slender, soft to rigid, often flattened, sometimes twisted, glabrous.
- Leaves
- Few, small bladeless sheaths near bases of culms, pale brown, tips appear cut nearly straight across.
- Inflorescence
- Spikelets, solitary, terminal, lanceolate to slightly cylindric, to 1.25 inch long, few- to many-flowered; flowers perfect; lowest scales usually 2, sterile; fertile scales spirally overlapping, narrowly ovate or oblong-lanceolate, pale brown to straw colored with light green midribs; margins transparent; tips blunt or pointed; bristles to 8 at bases of flowers, as long as achenes or occasionally very short; styles 2-cleft, enlarged below into small, cap-like projection.
- Fruit
- Achenes, egg-shaped, yellowish brown, becoming dark brown with age, 1-seeded.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Pond and lake edges, marshy areas, and ditches.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
Additional Notes
Special Notes: Flat-stem or compressed spike-rush (Eleocharis compressa) occurs in similar habitats but is only 4-12 inches tall.
Synonyms
Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.
Scientific Name: Eleocharis macrostachya
Full Citation: Eleocharis macrostachya Britton
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Sedge
- Family
- Cyperaceae - Sedge Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- Up to 4 feet
- Last Updated
- 2007-04-04
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: April, May, June, July