Parish's spikerush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parish's spikerush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eleocharis
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| Species: |
parishii
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| Synonyms | |
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Eleocharis parishii is a type of plant called a spikerush. Its common name is Parish's spikerush. It's a kind of spikesedge.
This plant grows naturally in Northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. You can find it from southwestern Oregon and California all the way east to Kansas and western Texas. It likes to grow in wet, sandy places. It can live in both fresh water and slightly salty, or brackish, water.
About Parish's Spikerush
Parish's spikerush is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from special underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes help the plant spread and form thick mats. Its stems are ridged and can grow up to about 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) tall.
The plant has thin leaves. They are dark purplish or brown near the bottom. As you look up the stem, the leaves become lighter in color.
Flowers and Seeds
At the very top of each stem, you'll find a special flower cluster. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It looks like a small, spear-shaped spikelet. Each spikelet can be up to 1.5 centimeters long.
Inside the spikelet are many tiny flowers. These flowers are protected by dark brown leaf-like parts called bracts.
