emergent
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Wetland and Aquatic Plants of Oklahoma

Interactive Keys: Emergent

Grasslike

Sedges (Cyperaceae)

2. Spikerushes (Eleocharis spp.)
    
          a. Stems square
          b. Stems flattened
          c. Stems round
          d. Small plants growing on recently exposed shorelines

Stems square

Squarestem spikerush (Eleocharis quadrangulata (Michx.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes)
Native perennial
                                                                                                                                                                click on thumbnails to enlarge

Eleocharis quadrangulata map                                      Eleocharis quadrangulata

NWI status:  OBL

Stems flattened  (see also common spikerush)

Flatstem spikerush (Eleocharis compressa Sullivant)
Native perennial.

Eleocharis compressa map                                      Eleocharis compressa

Note: A very common spikerush throughout Oklahoma.   The long, pointed (acuminate) distinguishes flatstem spikerush from common spikerush plants with flat stems.

NWI status:  FACW+

Stems round

Purple spikerush (Eleocharis atropurpurea (Retz.) J. &. K. Presl) 
Native annual.

Eleocharis atropurpurea map

NWI status: FACW

Bald spikerush   (Eleocharis erythropoda Steud.) 
Native perennial.

Eleocharis erythropoda map                                              Eleocharis erythropoda

NWI status: OBL

Canada spikerush (Eleocharis geniculata (L.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes) 
Native annual.

Eleocharis geniculata map                                     Eleocharis geniculata

NWI status:  FACW

Daggerleaf spikerush (Eleocharis lanceolata Fern.) 
Native annual.

Eleocharis lanceolata map                                   Eleocharis lanceolata

NWI status:  FACW

Sand spikerush (Eleocharis montevidensis Kunth) 
Native perennial.

Eleocharis montevidensis map                                    Eleocharis montevidensis

Note: A very common spikerush throughout Oklahoma.

NWI status:  FACW+

Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa (Willd.) J.A. Schultes) 
Native perennial.

Eleocharis obtusa map                                   Eleocharis obtusa

NWI status: OBL

Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes)
Native Perennial.

Eleocharis palustris map                                 Eleocharis palustris

Note: Probably the most common spikerush in Oklahoma.  In many cases, the stems are flattenad like those of flatstem spikerush.

NWI status:  OBL

Beaked spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata (Torr.) Torr.) 
Native perennial.

Eleocharis rostellata map                                 Eleocharis rostellata

NWI status: OBL

Small plants growing on recently exposed shorelines

Needle spikerush (Eleocharis acicularis (L.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes)
Native annual.

Eleocharis acicularis map

NWI status: OBL

Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula (Roemer & J.A. Schultes) Link ex Bluff, Nees & Schauer)
Native annual.

Eleocharis parvula map                                 Eleocharis parvula

NWI status: OBL

Rooted spikerush (Eleocharis radicans (A. Dietr.) Kunth) 
Native perennial.

Eleocharis radicans map                                       Eleocharis radicans

NWI status:  OBL

Slender spikerush (Eleocharis tenuis (Willd.) J.A. Schultes)
Native perennial.

Eleocharis tenus map                                    Eleocharis tenuis

NWI status:  FACW

Last update: 2/21/04
Comments to : Bruce Hoagland

bhoagland@ou.edu

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