Common Spikerush, Creeping Spikerush
Eleocharis palustris
Synonyms: Eleocharis smallii, Scirpus palustris
The photo above shows the terminal spike of common spike-rush as seen in the drying ditch along Laurel Road in Conboy Lake NWR.........June 21, 2008. Note that the yellowish anthers are located on the bottom half of the spike while the upper half is clearly female, although the stigmas can be clearly seen mixed in with the stamens on the lower half too.
The photo above shows a close-up of the solitary and bractless spikelet of creeping spike-rush as seen in the shallow waters of the central canal along Kreps Lane at Conboy Lake NWR. 20-30 flowers are present in the species, each with 2 stigmas.
The photo above shows creeping spike-rush growing in the shallow water of the central canal across Conboy Lake NWR..........July 31, 2008. This species is greater than 50 cm tall.
Paul Slichter