Bald Spike Rush

About Bald Spike Rush

Bald Spike Rush (Eleocharis erythropoda) is a versatile wetland perennial that brings architectural interest to water features, rain gardens, and shoreline restorations. Growing 8 to 32 inches tall, it is distinguished by its slender, unbranched stems that are often reddish-purple at the base, giving rise to its other common name, Red-footed Spikesedge. Native to much of North America, it thrives in fens, marshes, and the edges of ponds or streams in full sun and wet, mucky soils. From late spring through summer, it produces small, lance-shaped flowering spikes at the stem tips. This species is ecologically significant, providing essential nesting material and cover for waterfowl and other wetland birds. Its creeping rhizomes allow it to form stable colonies, making it an excellent choice for erosion control in saturated areas. To propagate, provide a 60-day cold, moist stratification period to ensure successful spring germination.