Eleocharis sphacelata
R.Br. Tall Spike-rushPerennial aquatic with stout rhizome. Culms terete, transversely septate, to 5 m high (in deep water), to c. 1.5 m above water, 4–12 mm diam. Spikelet terete, tapering to apex, 3–5 cm long, 8–9 mm diam., glumes ± obtuse, finely striate with a fairly prominent midrib and narrow hyaline margins, straw-coloured, usually with dark reddish band near margins, 7–11 mm long; hypogynous bristles 8–10, reaching at least to top of the style-base, sparsely but regularly toothed, united at the base; stamens 3; anthers 3–5 mm long; style 3-fid. Nut turgidly biconvex, with angles not ribbed, obovoid to orbicular, straw-coloured to dark golden brown, 2–2.7 mm long, 1.8–2.5 mm diam., external cells irregularly isodiametric, often elongated vertically in no regular series; style-base from one-half as long as to equalling and about two-thirds as wide as nut. Flowers spring–summer.
Wim, GleP, VVP, VRiv, MSB, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, VAlp. All States. New Guinea. In still or slow-moving freshwater to 5 m deep or more; widespread from near sea-level to subalps (e.g. Mt Buffalo).
Wilson, K.L. (1994). Cyperaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 238–356. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
