Great Spike Rush

About Great Spike Rush

Great Spike Rush (Eleocharis palustris) is a robust and dependable wetland perennial, highly valued for stabilizing shorelines and creating habitat in shallow water. Growing 1 to 3 feet tall, it forms expansive colonies of dark green, cylindrical stems. Native to temperate regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere, it is a common sight in marshes, fens, and lake margins across North America, though it is notably absent from Florida and Georgia. In late spring and summer, the stems are topped with prominent, brownish flowering spikes. Its vigorous rhizomatous root system is exceptionally effective at controlling soil erosion and filtering runoff in riparian zones. It provides essential cover for fish, amphibians, and nesting wetland birds. Great Spike Rush thrives in full sun and wet environments, including areas permanently flooded up to 6 inches deep. For successful germination, seeds require a 60-day cold, moist stratification period.