Eleocharis acicularis

Needle - bulrush ( Eleocharis acicularis )

The needle - bulrush ( Eleocharis acicularis ), also referred to as needle cornices, is a marsh plant, which belongs to the Sedge family ( Cyperaceae ). The species is commonly used in the aquarium hobby.

Description

The needle - bulrush grows lawn shaped with a creeping rhizome. This may be branched, it is not thickened at the ends. The plant height is two to four inches. The stems are square, furrowed and thread- thin. There is no leaf blade, leaf sheaths are purple at the base.

The flowers are about three to 15 in spikelets that are four millimeters long and pointed. The bracts are brown and have a white border. The pen bears three scars. The fruit is a nut which is longitudinally ribbed.

Bloom time is from June to October. The plant is wind pollinated ( anemophily ). The female organs mature before the male ( Proterogynie ).

Dissemination

The needle - bulrush grows on shallow banks, in ditches, on wet meadows and in alternating dry ponds. It prefers loamy, poor nutrient-rich sand, gravel and clay. It can be found in the hill and montane zone to 1000 m. The needle - bulrush is widespread on all continents.