How to Grow and Care for Eleocharis

Needle spikerush (Eleocharis acicularis) is a flowering plant species that grows throughout North America, Asia, South America, and Australia. Needle spikerush grows in marshes and bogs and is also known as the least spikerush. This species is commonly cultivated as an aquatic ornamental plant.

Viviparous spikerush (Eleocharis vivipara) is a perennial grass-like plant that grows in water and on land and will grow from 30 to 91 cm tall. Tall spikes of reddish-brown to purple flowers bloom in spring. Seeds ripen in late summer to early fall. Grows in wetland areas, along streams or in shallow water. Needs full sun.

The edible chinese water chestnut is grown in many countries. Because of its wide cultivation, it is unclear where the plant originates. Chinese water chestnut corms can be eaten raw, boiled, or grilled.

Common spikerush grows in wetland parts of North America, Europe, North Africa, and central or northern Asia. Its scientific name is Eleocharis palustris, a name whose meaning is related to its marshland habitat. It is an extremely variable plant with different subspecies.

A dense, mat-forming plant, sand spikerush is a widespread coastal plant native to the southern United States and South America. The grass-like leaves are purplish at the base and grow up to 50 cm tall. Sand spikerush likes water and wet soil, so it's often used as an ornamental or aquatic plant in pond gardens.