Black Needle Rush

Introduction

Although this species of rush "dominates 20.7% of the marsh in the South Atlantic states" (Skaradek & Henson, n.d., p.1), the relationship between black needle rush and the marsh still needs research compared to other species of grass living in the marsh (Hunter et al, 2015).

Black Needle Rush is a grass-like plant that can grow from 1 foot to 7 feet depending on the salinity of the soil in the marsh. It can range from green to brown to black in coloration. The ends of the leaves of the plant are tightly wound up into sharp needle-like protrusions.

This plant reproduces both sexually and asexually. The sexually produced seeds require light; therefore, the seeds cannot fall into the mud and survive. The seeds are typically found floating on the water and along the sand away from the main colony. Asexually, the plant continues growth of the main colony through their rhizomes (Skaradek & Henson, n.d.).

Evolutionary History

Since Black Needle Rush thrives in tidal marshes, the largest evolutionary adaptation has been to tolerate salty conditions. It has adapted to survive various soil salinity; in lower soil salinity near open water the plants can grow up to 7 feet while in hyper-saline soil near land the plants are stunted to about a foot in height (Fire Effects Information System (FEIS), n.d.). Black Needle Rush has also been shown "to handle anaerobic conditions, a high tolerance to calcium carbonate, and wide ranges of pH fluctuations" (Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (Lumcon), n.d.).

In these photos, the individual can see the proximity of the black needle rush to the river/estuary on the bank (bottom) and further inland from the river/estuary (top) along the Oak Toe Trail and Sugarloaf Trail in Carolina Beach State Park.