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Beaked Spikerush

Eleocharis rostellata

Last reviewed: August 2026

Beaked Spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata)
Photo: (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Beaked Spikerush as toxic to livestock.

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

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra NevadaCentral California Foothills and Coastal MountainsSouthern California MountainsNorthwestern Forested MountainsNorth American DesertsCentral Basin and RangeMojave Basin and RangeSouthern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsEdwards PlateauWestern Gulf Coastal PlainNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and RangeEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine BarrensSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

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.

Common questions

How much sun does Beaked Spikerush need?
Beaked Spikerush grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Beaked Spikerush bloom?
Beaked Spikerush blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Beaked Spikerush native?
Beaked Spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata) is native to AL, AZ, CA, CO and 33 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Beaked Spikerush toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beaked Spikerush as toxic to livestock.
Is Beaked Spikerush HOA-friendly?
Beaked Spikerush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Beaked Spikerush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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