Kingdom Plantae Family Cyperaceae Scientific name Eleocharis halophila | Order Poales Genus Eleocharis Rank Species | |
Similar Eleocharis pachycarpa, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eleocharis radicans, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Eleocharis atropurpurea | ||
Eleocharis halophila (saltmarsh spikerush) is a perennial halophytic plant endemic to salt marshes in eastern Canada, in Ontario in Hudson Bay and James Bay, Quebec in the St. Lawrence Seaway as far as the city of Quebec, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia and in the United States from Maine to North Carolina. It is one of 76 species of Eleocharis amongst the 36 genera in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). It is a vascular plant in the monocotyledon subclass Commelinidae.
Eleocharis halophila is listed as an "obligate wetland" (OBL) species, and occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in wetlands.
The plant is listed by federal and state authorities as either threatened or endangered in multiple states, where it also known by various common names: