Eleocharis equisetoides facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleocharis equisetoides |
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Eleocharis
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equisetoides
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Eleocharis equisetoides, often called horsetail spike-rush, jointed spike-rush, or spikesedge, is a fascinating plant. It is a type of grass-like plant that grows in wet, freshwater areas. You can find it naturally in the United States and Ontario, Canada.
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Discovering Horsetail Spike-Rush
This plant gets its common names because of its unique look. It has stems that look a bit like those of a horsetail plant. This is why it's called "horsetail spike-rush." It's also known as "jointed spike-rush" because its stems appear to have distinct joints.
What is This Plant?
Eleocharis equisetoides is a type of plant in the sedge family. Sedges are often confused with grasses, but they have different stem shapes. This plant has hollow stems. Inside these stems, there are special cross-walls. These walls make the stem look like it's divided into sections or "joints."
Where Does it Grow?
This plant loves wet places! You will usually find it in freshwater wetlands. These are areas like marshes, swamps, and the edges of ponds or lakes. It is most common along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Its range stretches from Texas all the way up to Massachusetts. You can also find it in the Great Lakes region. Sometimes, you might spot it in other scattered locations too.
How to Identify It
Eleocharis equisetoides is closely related to another plant called E. interstincta. Both of these plants have those cool hollow stems with cross-walls. This feature makes them look a bit like Equisetum species, which are true horsetails.
To tell Eleocharis equisetoides apart from its close relative, you need to look at tiny parts of its flowers. Specifically, you would check the length of the small, stiff hairs called bristles. These bristles are found near the plant's seeds, which are called achenes. The length of these bristles helps scientists tell the two species apart.
