Eleocharis sphacelata R.Br. APNI* 
Description: Perennial aquatic with stout rhizome.
Culms terete, transversely septate, to 5 m high (in deep water), 4–12 mm diam.
Spikelet cylindrical, 3–5 cm long, 8–9 mm diam. Glumes ± obtuse, finely striate with a fairly prominent midrib and narrow hyaline margins, 7–11 mm long, straw-coloured usually with dark reddish band near margins. Bristles 8–10, at least as long as the 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 globose, 2–2.7 mm long, 1.8–2.5 mm diam., straw-coloured to dark golden brown; external cells irregularly isodiametric, often elongated vertically in no regular series; style base from half as long as to equalling and about two-thirds as broad as nut.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread on coast and tablelands, inland to Narrabri and Balranald. All other States; also New Guinea, New Zealand, New Caledonia. Grows in more or less still fresh water to at least 5 m deep.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, SWS, NWP, SWP, SFWP
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. W.A. S.A. N.T.
Text by K. L. Wilson (1993; revised Sept 2006).
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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