Eleocharis macrostachya (Pale Spikerush)

Eleocharis macrostachya (Pale Spikerush) is an aquatic or marginal perennial grass with bright green erect stems arising from a creeping rhizome. The stems have thin, straw-colored basal leaves. Tiny flowers are borne at the tip of each stem in narrow, purple-brown spikelets. Widely distributed in North America and some parts of South America, Pale Spikerush is a plant of diverse moist habitats, including freshwater lakes and brackish marshes and ponds, ditches, vernal pools, and wet meadows. Growing from rapidly spreading rhizomatous roots, it can form dense colonies. Pale Spikerush is great along the edge of a pond, marsh or vernal pool where it can be allowed to spread.

• Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm). This plant will spread by creeping rhizomes to form a colony if not restrained.
• Performs best in full sun in moist to wet soils. Can also be planted in shallow standing water.
• This plant can be grown near ponds and streams, in bog gardens, or as a ground cover. It is suitable for small, medium and large ponds and can be grown as a fully submerged aquatic plant in outdoor ponds.
• Requires little care, is virtually disease-free and pest-free.
• Propagate from stem cuttings in summer.
• Widely distributed in North America and occurs in parts of South America.