Beaked Spikerush
Eleocharis rostellata
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part sun
Water
high
Size
4"–24" H × 2"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AZ, CA, CO and 33 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Beaked spikerush is a native sedge that forms small clumps of thin, grass-like stems topped with small brown seed heads in summer. It requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions and thrives in rain gardens, bog areas, or along pond edges. This plant is best suited for specialized water features rather than typical landscape beds.
In an HOA neighborhood
Beaked Spikerush takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Requires wet conditions that are impractical for most landscapes
- Can appear weedy or unkempt to unfamiliar viewers
- Brown seed heads may look messy in formal settings
Wildlife value
The seeds provide food for waterfowl and songbirds, while the dense growth offers nesting habitat for small wetland birds. It supports various wetland insects and their larvae.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Beaked Spikerush fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.