Eleocharis montevidensis

Eleocharis montevidensis is a species of spikesedge known by the common name sand spikerush. It is a widespread coastal plant native to the Americas. It grows in moist, sandy spots in many habitat types, including lakes, riverbanks, wet meadows, and springs. It has a disjunct distribution, in North America (southern United States from California to the Carolinas, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras) and South America (Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay).[1][2]

Sand spikerush
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Eleocharis
Species:
E. montevidensis
Binomial name
Eleocharis montevidensis
Synonyms[1]
  • Limnochloa montevidensis (Kunth) Nees
  • Scirpus montevidensis (Kunth) Kuntze
  • Eleocharis montana subsp. montevidensis (Kunth) Osten
  • Eleocharis arenicola Torr. ex Engelm. & A.Gray
  • Scirpus arenicola (Torr. ex Engelm. & A.Gray) Kuntze
  • Trichophyllum arenicola (Torr. ex Engelm. & A.Gray) House
  • Eleocharis palmeri Svenson
  • Eleocharis montevidensis f. angustior S.González & McVaugh

Description

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Eleocharis montevidensis is a rhizomatous perennial herb forming tufts or mats of erect, firm stems up to half a meter tall. The narrow grasslike leaves are dark purplish or reddish brown at the bases, becoming lighter in color toward the tips, and drying to a thin, papery texture. The inflorescence is an oval-shaped spikelet appearing at the tip of the stem. It is under a centimeter long and made up of several flowers covered in brownish bracts.[3]

Eleocharis montevidensis have often been called either E. montana or E. palmeri in some North American publications.[3]

Cultivation

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It is sometimes cultivated as an aquatic plant for water gardens.

References

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