Spike Rush (Eleocharis spp.)

Spike rushes in North America like to grow in shallow water like that found in marshes, swales, and along ponds and lakes. Spike rushes are found world-wide especially around the tropics. The eleocharis pictured above is growing along a lake in natire preserve called Lake Katherine. Spike rushes are characterized by leafless stems that look like grass with a brown flower/seed head. They usually do not exceed more than 2 feet in height.

I have never seen eleocharis growing in disturbed areas. The only places I have seen eleocharis is in restoration areas like Lake Katherine or in undisturbed wetlands. Eleocharis spp. are very hard to identify, so that is why I am not even going to try identify this one above.