Eleocharis palustris

Common Spikerush

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Common name

Common Spikerush

Scientific name

Eleocharis palustris (L.) R. Br.

Conservation status and threats

NOT protected species in Bulgaria.

Description and identification

Eleocharis palustris is a herbaceous plant with creeping underground rhizomes and leafless, unbranched, erect stems up to 80 cm tall, covered at the base by leaf sheaths. Inflorescence a single, ovoid or ovoid-cylindrical spike, up to 2 cm long, located at the apex of the stem, with 2 sterile scales at its base. The perianth is composed of 4-6 coarsely toothed non-deciduous setae. Florets have stamens 3 and a 2-parted style. Glumes ovate-lanceolate or oblong-ovate, pointed or obtuse, rusty brown to dark brown, in the middle with a longitudinal green stripe, with a narrow membranous margin. Fruit ovoid, up to 2 mm long, yellowish to brown, with 3-4 perianth setae longer than it. Flowering June-August¹.

Habitat

Swamps and very wet places².

Distribution in Bulgaria

Throughout the country from 50 to 2200 m altitude³.

General distribution

Cosmopolitan⁴.

References

1 Пенев, Ив. 1964. В: Флора на Н. Р. България, том IІ, издателство на БАН, София.

2 Пенев, Ив. 1964. Пос. източник.

3 Assyov, B., A. Petrova, D. Dimitrov & R. Vassilev. 2012. Conspectus of the vascular flora of Bulgaria. Sofia, Bulgarian biodiversity foundation.

4 Пенев, Ив. 1964. Пос. източник.

Eleocharis palustris на български

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