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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Few-flower Spikerush
Eleocharis pauciflora (Lightf.) Link

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Sedge (Cyperaceae)
Flowering: June-August
Field Marks: This spikerush is distinguished by its slender nearly thread-like stems bearing a small spikelet with no more than 9 flowers. The distinct beak on the achene is continuous with the body of the achene and about 1/4 as long.
Habitat: Bogs, fens, wet meadows, sometimes above timberline, sometimes in salty or alkaline habitats.
Habit: Dwarf perennial herb with short and thick as well as longer and more slender rhizomes.
Stems: Upright, very slender, angular, up to 18 inches long, smooth.
Leaves: 0.
Flowers: Borne in a solitary terminal spikelet; spikelet narrowly ovoid, pointed at the tip, up to 1/3 inch long, with up to 9 flowers.
Scales: Ovate, pointed at the tip, up to 1/4 inch long, brown with pale margins.
Sepals: 0.
Petals: 0.
Stamens: 3.
Pistils: Ovary superior: stigmas 3.
Fruits: Achenes triangular, up to 1/8 inch long, abruptly tapering to a continuous short beak about 1/4 the length of the body of the achene, without hairs.

Previous Species -- Creeping Spikerush (Eleocharis macrostachya)
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Next Species -- Beaked Spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata)

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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:24:44 EST
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