The alliance Eleocharition acicularis includes vegetation of low-growing amphibious perennial plants such as Eleocharis acicularis, Juncus bulbosus, Littorella.uniflora and Pilularia globulifera, and to a lesser extent species with swimming leaves such as Luronium natans. These species often form monospecific stands, especially during periods of flooding. Vegetation of the Eleocharition acicularis occurs mainly in oligotrophic to mesotrophic, lentic wetlands. Due to limited nutrient availibility it grows slowly, and under eutrophication it usually declines due to the spread of competitively stronger species. Its diversity is high in the oceanic parts of Europe and decreases towards continental areas. In the Czech Republic it occurs mainly in fishponds in precipitation-rich areas with acidic bedrock.