- © Michael Charter. Used with permission.
Spiny rush's other common names are Leopold’s rush, wire grass, and southwestern spiny rush. It is an erect, very spiny plant that is able to live in both freshwater and saline environments. It was introduced into southern Australia where it is considered to be a weed due to its success as a primary colonizer. Grazing animals avoid grazing where this plant thrives. Once it becomes established, it covers the area and out-competes almost all other vegetation.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
California’s central & south coast, southern Channel Islands, Sonora Desert, Baja California, Arizona, South America, South Australia, & Soouth Africa. Native to the Mediterranean region, western Europe, North America, & Africa.
- Amazing Facts
Spiny rush can grow to form impenetrable boundaries that keep livestock and humans away from water. When the plants grow in drains, they can obstruct water flow resulting in flooding.
- At the Aquarium
Cuttings and seedlings for our Shorebird Sanctuary were donated by Stewards of the Los Cerritos Wetlands located in Long Beach, California.