Eleocharis atropurpurea

(Retzius) J. Presl & C. Presl

in C. B. Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 196. 1828.

Common names: Purple spikerush
Illustrated
Basionym: Scirpus atropurpureus Retzius Observ. Bot. 5: 14. 1789
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 23. Treatment on page 102. Mentioned on page 63, 101.

Plants tufted, without creeping rhizomes. Culms 2–12(–19) cm × 0.2–0.4 mm. Leaves: distal leaf sheaths firm, distally tightly sheathing, apex acute. Spikelets ovoid to ellipsoid, 2–6(–8) × 1–2.5 mm, apex acute; proximal scale with or without flower, not amplexicaulous; floral scales to 100, 15–19 per mm of rachilla, often loosely appressed, dark red-brown to stramineous, ovate to elliptic, 0.6–1.3 × 0.3–0.7 mm, membranous, apex rounded to acute. Flowers: perianth bristles (0–)4–6, typically 4, colorless to whitish, vestigial to 1/2 as long as achene, smooth or spinuliferous; styles 2-fid. Achenes black, obovoid, biconvex, 0.3–0.5 × 0.3–0.4 mm, apex often constricted proximal to tubercle, smooth at 40X. Tubercles stramineous to whitish, umbonate to subconic, 0.1–0.2 × 0.1–0.2 mm, apex acute. 2n = 20.


Phenology: Fruiting summer–fall (Jun–Sep).
Habitat: Canal banks, hammocks, irrigation ditches, lake and pond margins, maritime shores, rice fields
Elevation: 0–1800 m

Distribution

V23 152-distribution-map.jpg

B.C., Ala., Calif., Fla., Ga., Iowa, Kans., La., Mich., Mo., Nebr., N.Mex., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tex., Wash., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Europe (naturalized), Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands.

Discussion

Eleocharis atropurpurea has been reported from Colorado, Montana, and Virginia; I have not seen voucher specimens.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Eleocharis atropurpurea"
Francis J. Menapace +
(Retzius) J. Presl & C. Presl +
Scirpus atropurpureus +
Purple spikerush +
B.C. +, Ala. +, Calif. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Iowa +, Kans. +, La. +, Mich. +, Mo. +, Nebr. +, N.Mex. +, N.C. +, Okla. +, S.C. +, Tex. +, Wash. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, South America +, Europe (naturalized) +, Asia +, Africa +  and Pacific Islands. +
0–1800 m +
Canal banks, hammocks, irrigation ditches, lake and pond margins, maritime shores, rice fields +
Fruiting summer–fall (Jun–Sep). +
in C. B. Presl, Reliq. Haenk. +
Illustrated +
Eleocharis +
Eleocharis atropurpurea +
Eleocharis (sect. Eleogenus) ser. Maculosae +
species +