Eleocharis sphacelata
                  Tall Spike-Sedge

Wetland Planting Zone	Deep Marsh
Approved Format	600cc
Family	Cyperaceae
Form	Eleocharis sphacelata is a spreading perennial aquatic sedge with flowering stems to 5m tall
Foliage	The foliage is reduced to a small tip on a sheath around the flowering stems
Flowers	Flowers are small, brown and bract-like, grouped in 6cm cylindrical clusters at the end of the flwoering stems, Spring-Summer
Fruit	Straw to golden brown coloured nut, 2-2.7mm with bristles at base
Habitat	Tall Spike-Sedge lives in still or slow moving fresh water to 5m deep
Distinctive Features	Tall segmented, straw-like cylindrical culms (flowering stems)
Similar Species	Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and Baumea articulata are similar size, but have branched flowering spikelets and sharp-pointed leaves
Comments	E. sphacelata is an important habitat and source of nesting material for water birds.