Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Eleocharis macrostachya Britton
(Pale Spikerush)


Family: Cyperaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
None

Eleocharis macrostachya is a rhizomatous perennial spikerush found at water's edge. The flowers have two styles. The culms are not septate and the achenes are smooth. The bristles are about as long as the achene. The tubercle is caplike and much narrower than the achene. It is important to note how similar Eleocharis macrostachya and Eleocharis parishii look outwardly, but how different the achenes look microscopically.
Please click an image for a larger file.



Eleocharis macrostachya, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Quemado Lake, Aug. 11, 2009



Eleocharis macrostachya, cloesup of spikelet, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Quemado Lake, Aug. 11, 2009



Eleocharis macrostachya, macro of achenes, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris & Kelly Kindscher, Quemado Lake, Aug. 11, 2009


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