Family: Cyperaceae
Author: (Roth) Roem. & Schult.
Bibliography: Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 2: 152 (1817)
Year: 1817
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Eleocharis
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Ovate spikerush, known scientifically as Eleocharis ovata, is an intriguing species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. This plant has a noteworthy historical mention, first described in detail in 1817. Its nomenclature can be attributed to the botanical work published in “Systema Vegetabilium,” where it was classified by the combined efforts of authors Roth, Roemer, and Schultes.
Eleocharis ovata is predominantly found in temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere. This widespread distribution reflects its adaptability to a variety of habitats, making it an interesting subject for botanists and ecologists alike. The plant typically thrives in wetland environments, such as marshes and the edges of freshwater bodies, capitalizing on its spiked rush-like appearance to blend into its surroundings and contribute to its ecosystem.
As a member of the Cyperaceae family, Ovate spikerush shares many characteristics with other sedges, including its tufted, grass-like stems and preference for moist soils. Its growth and reproduction patterns underscore its importance in maintaining healthy wetland ecosystems, providing habitat and food for various wildlife species while also playing a role in soil stabilization and water filtration.
Ovate spikerush exemplifies the intricate balance and interdependence found within natural habitats, marking it as a significant plant for studying ecological processes in temperate zones.
Common Names
Deu: eiförmige sumpfbinse, eiförmiges sumpfsimse, eiköpfige sumpfbinse
Eng: oval spike-rush, ovate spikerush, ovoid spikerush
Nld: eivormige waterbies
Fra: scirpe à inflorescence ovoïde, éléocharide ovale, héléocharis ovale
En: Ovate spikerush, Blunt Spike Rush, Ovoid spike-rush, Ovoid spikerush, Ovoid spikesedge, Oval spike-rush
Nl: Eivormige waterbies
Fr: Scirpe à inflorescence ovoïde, Éléocharide ovale, Héléocharis ovale, Scirpe ovoïde, Souchet à inflorescence ovale, Scirpe ovale
De: Eiförmige Sumpfbinse, Eiförmiges Sumpfsimse, Eiköpfige Sumpfbinse, Eiförmige Sumpfsimse, Eiförmiges Sumpfried
It: Giunchina ovata
Synonyms
- Scirpus compressus (Moench)
- Eleocharis ovata var. minima (Beck)
- Eleogenus ovatus ((Roth) Nees)
- Bulbostylis ovatus ((Roth) Steven)
- Eleocharis ovata var. nipponica (H.Hara)
- Eleocharis ovata var. obtusa (Kük. ex Skottsb.)
- Eleocharis soloniensis var. nipponica (H.Hara)
- Trichophyllum ovatum ((Roth) House)
- Eleocharis ovata var. aphanactis (J.W.Moore)
- Eleocharis annua (House)
- Eleocharis ovata f. sessitensis (A.Terracc.)
- Clavula ovata ((Roth) Dumort.)
- Eleocharis ovata var. italica (A.Terracc.)
- Scirpus elegantulus (Steud.)
- Scirpus soloniensis (Dubois)
- Eleocharis soloniensis ((Dubois) H.Hara)
- Cyperus ovatus ((Roth) Missbach & E.H.L.Krause)
- Eleocharis ovata var. humifusa (A.Terracc.)
- Eleocharis obtusa var. ovata ((Roth) Drapalik & Mohlenbr.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Altay (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Assam (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Korea (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 5, 2020 by Macedo Lucas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Matthew Horrigan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Leaf
Taken Aug 1, 2020 by Rita Chovan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 10, 2020 by Billiot Alli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 10, 2020 by Billiot Alli (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2022 by Ross Kat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2020 by diana ritchie (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Nov 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Aug 6, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 1985 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Feb 24, 2021 by alain croibien (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1086076-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2717641)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eleocharis ovata (Roth) Roem. & Schult.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Soil nutriments: 4