Dwarf spikerush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• dwarf spikerush
• little-headed spikerush
• low spikerush
• small spikerush
• tiny spikerush
• Dwarf Spike-Rush
• Estuarine Spike-Rush
• dwarf hair-grass
• little-head spike-rush
• small spike-rush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eleogiton parvula
• Isolepis leptos
• Clavula comosa
• Limnochloa parvula
• Eleocharis parvula f. spongiosa
• Eleocharis parvula subsp. oppermannii
• Eleocharis membranacea
• Scirpus parvulus
• Chaetocyperus pusillus
• Eleocharis leptos var. johnstonii
• Trichophorum parvulum
• Chaetocyperus pygmaeus
• Chaetocyperus membranaceus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Poales, falling into the family Cyperaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Eleocharis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species is present in the coastal and inland areas of Great Britain. Its range further extends to the island of Ireland. Finally, the plant is also documented within the territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eleocharis parvula is characterized by its specialized preference for transitional aquatic environments, specifically occupying the shallow shores of freshwater bodies. These littoral zones provide the necessary substrate and fluctuating water levels required for its establishment. By colonizing these shoreline habitats, the species plays a role in stabilizing sediments and providing micro-habitats within the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Its presence is closely tied to the availability of light and nutrient-rich silt found along these margins, where it can effectively navigate the unique hydrological stresses of the shoreland zone.

Habitat :

shores

Life history

The life history of Eleocharis parvula is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a cryptophyte, it relies on protected underground structures to survive unfavorable conditions. Its life form is specifically classified as a geophyte, utilizing specialized storage organs to maintain its presence within its aquatic or semi-aquatic habitat. Furthermore, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its vegetative integrity throughout its life cycle rather than shedding all foliage seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eleocharis parvula is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody, graminoid herb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat and functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. It is a self-supporting species, neither acting as a climber, liana, nor vine, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively diminutive size, with a mean plant height of approximately 0.21 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.21 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eleocharis parvula is characterized by a specialized photosynthetic mechanism and distinct morphological dimensions. This species utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a fundamental metabolic process for carbon fixation that involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. In terms of its vegetative structure, the plant exhibits specific leaf dimensions essential to its growth habit, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm.

Leaf length max:

0.4 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eleocharis parvula is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized reproductive mechanisms. The plant undergoes flowering starting in July and concludes in August. Its pollination strategy is classified as abiotic, specifically utilizing a wind-driven pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating external agents for successful reproduction. Following fertilization, the dispersal of its offspring follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning seeds or propagules are dispersed via animals, a trait that is consistently observed across its dispersal mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eleocharis parvula has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include MERCURY.

MERCURY

1. International journal of phytoremediation