Wright's Spikerush (Eleocharis diandra)

Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Cyperaceae
State: CT, MA, NH, NY, ON, QC, VT
Nature Serve ID: 134571
Lifeform: Graminoid
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

Eleocharis diandra, or Wright's Spikesedge, is an annual, grass-like plant that only grows on the shores of rivers and lakes in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. Like other sedges, it grows as a clump of skinny (1-4mm), unbranched leaves with flowers produced in spikes (a tight cluster of flowers) at the tips of the leaves. The entire plant only grows 2-25mm in height. Elecoharis diandra can be confused with another rare spikesedge, E. aestuum. Eleocharis diandra has pointed floral scales (tiny leaves) whereas E. aestuum has round floral scales. Wright's Spikesedge is of conservation concern because of its very restricted global range and specific habitat requirements. At the last review of its global status done by NatureServe in 2016, it was estimated that there were 6-20 occurrences of E. diandra, and few if any of those were estimated to have good viability. It is primarily threatened by shoreline activities on the rivers and lakes it inhabits.

Where is Wright's Spikerush (Eleocharis diandra) located in the wild?

States & Provinces:

Wright's Spikerush can be found in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ontario, Quebec, Vermont

Which CPC Partners conserve Wright's Spikerush (Eleocharis diandra)?

Native Plant Trust

Not Sponsored

Assigned 06/09/17

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

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Wright's Spikerush (Eleocharis diandra) Characteristics

Nomenclature

Taxon	Eleocharis diandra
Authority	C. Wright
Family	Cyperaceae
CPC Number	44905
ITIS	512761
USDA	ELDI2
Duration	Annual
Common Names	Wright's Spikesedge \| Wright's spikerush
Associated Scientific Names	Eleocharis diandra \| Eleocharis diandra var. depressa \| Eleocharis obtusa \| Eleocharis ovata \| Trichophyllum diandrum
Distribution

State Rank

State	State Rank
Connecticut	SNR
Massachusetts	S1
New Hampshire	SH
New York	S1
Ontario	S1
Quebec	S1
Vermont	S2

Ecological Relationships

Photos

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