Citation: S. T. Blake, Proc. R. Soc. Qld 49:154 (1938).

Synonymy: E. acura R. Br. var. pallens Benth., Fl. Aust. 7:295 (1878). , Eleocharis acuta

Common name: Pale spike-rush.

Description:
Rhizome very short or absent; stems densely tufted, slender, to 50 cm high; mouth of uppermost leaf sheath thickened, discoloured, truncate and mucronate.

Spikelet linear-cylindrical, more or less acute, usually pale-coloured, 1-2 cm long, glumes ovate or oblong-ovate with an acutely triangular apex, faintly keeled, c. 3-3.5 mm long; stamens 3.

Nut broadly obovoid or suborbicular, sometimes cuneate, 1.1-1.4 x 0.9-1 mm, biconvex or nearly planoconvex, often turgid, tawny or brown or rarely dark-brown, the margins thickened and rib-like, the sides smooth or slightly wrinkled; style base variable in shape and size, but always prominent, more or less deltoid or ovate-triangular, usually compressed, pallid or tawny, in the lower part more or less spongy and fimbriolate, up to a third of the length of the nut and a third to a quarter of its width; hypogynous bristles 7-10, usually stout, about as long as the nut.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 165.

Distribution:  Grows in dry flood-prone areas. S.Aust.: NW, LE, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU.   All mainland States. Conservation status: native Flowering time: May, Sept. and ?Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Fairly easily distinguishable from E. acula by the complete absence of a creeping rhizome, the more slender stems, the thickened margins of the nut, the stouter bristles, and the more readily deciduous glumes.

Author: Not yet available