Eleocharis parvula (Roem. & Schult.) Link ex Bluff, Nees & Schauer
small spike-rush (dwarf spikerush)
Cyperaceae (Sedge family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

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Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Eleocharis parvula
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Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from inconspicuous, slender rhizomes, forming dense mats; stems thread-like, erect to ascending, 2-6 (10) cm tall.
Leaves:
Sheaths pale, sometimes purplish below; blades lacking.
Flowers:
Spikes solitary, terminal, 2-4.5 (6) mm long, 2- to 9- (20-) flowered, egg-shaped.
Fruits:
Scales 1.5-2 (2.5) mm long, the lowest one empty, not subtending the flowers, egg-shaped, blunt or sharp-pointed, green to straw-coloured or brown; perianth bristles 3 to 5, equalling or surpassing the achenes, rarely reduced or lacking; stigmas 3; achenes egg-shaped, more or less 3-angled, straw-coloured, smooth and shining, 0.9-1.3 mm long including the short, inconspicuous tubercles, which are 0.15-0.3 mm long, nosecone-like and not forming apical caps on the achenes.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

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USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
Green
Blooming Period:
Mid Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present from Summer to Fall
Source:  The USDA

Habitat and Range

Salt marshes, mudflats and sandy shores along the coast; rare on S Vancouver Island, the Queen Charlotte Islands, and in the lower mainland; circumpolar, E to NF and S to FL, MS, TX, NM, AZ, CA and MX, Atlantic Coast; Europe.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Chaetocyperus membranacea Buckl.
Eleocharis leptos (Steud.) Svens.
Eleocharis leptos var. coloradoensis (Britt.) Svens.
Eleocharis leptos var. johnstonii Svens.
Eleocharis membranacea (Buckl.) Gilly
Eleocharis parvula var. anachaeta (Britton) Svens.
Eleocharis parvula var. coloradoensis (Britton) Beetle
Eleocharis parvula var. parvula
Scirpus nanus Spreng.
Scirpus nanus var. anachaetus (Torr.) Britt.