Few-flower spike-rush (Eleocharis quinqueflora, Mitt. Thüring. Bot. Ges. 1: 89 (1949))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: (Hartmann) O.Schwarz

Bibliography: Mitt. Thüring. Bot. Ges. 1: 89 (1949)

Year: 1949

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Eleocharis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere, Bolivia to S. South America

Description

Few-flower spike-rush, scientifically named Eleocharis quinqueflora, is a perennial plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family. This species was classified and detailed in the scientific literature “Mitt. Thüring. Bot. Ges. 1: 89” published in 1949 by O. Schwarz, based on earlier work by Hartmann.

Eleocharis quinqueflora is widely distributed across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, showcasing its adaptability to various climates. Its range extends from the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far south as Bolivia and further into South America. Characteristically known for its few-flowered inflorescence, this plant thrives in moist, marshy environments such as wetlands, meadows, and riverbanks.

The Few-flower spike-rush is an essential component of the ecosystems it inhabits, contributing to soil stabilization and providing habitat for numerous aquatic and terrestrial species. It’s identified by its slender, grassy stems and sparse floral arrangement, which distinguish it from other species within the Cyperaceae family.

This resilient plant not only plays a vital ecological role but also holds potential for further scientific study, given its broad distribution and adaptability across diverse geographical regions.

Common Names

Deu: armblütige sumpfbinse, wenigblütige sumpfbinse
Eng: few-flower spike-rush, few-flower spikerush, few-flowered spike-rush, fewflower spikerush, fewflowered spikesedge, few-flowered spikerush
Dan: fåblomstret kogleaks, fåblomstret sumpstrå
Nld: armbloemige waterbies
Fra: scirpe pauciflore, éléocharide à cinq fleurs, héléocharis à cinq fleurs, éléocharide pauciflore
Sme: juovkaluikket
Swe: tagelsäv
Cym: clwpfrwynen goch-ddu, sbigfrwynen goch, ysbigfrwynen goch
Ita: giunchina a 5 fiori
En: Few-flower spike-rush, Few-flower spikerush, Few-flowered spike-rush, Fewflower spikerush, Fewflowered spikesedge, Few-flowered spikerush, Chocolate-headed Clubrush
Ca: Eleòcaris pauciflora
Da: Fåblomstret kogleaks, Fåblomstret sumpstrå
Nl: Armbloemige waterbies
Fr: Scirpe pauciflore, Éléocharide à cinq fleurs, Héléocharis à cinq fleurs, Éléocharide pauciflore, Souchet à cinq fleurs, Souchet pauciflore
De: Armblütige Sumpfbinse, Wenigblütige Sumpfbinse, Armblütige Sumpfsimse, Wenigblütiges Sumpfried
It: Giunchina a 5 Fiori, Giunchina a cinque fiori
Se: Juovkaluikket
Sv: Tagelsäv
Cy: Clwpfrwynen Goch-Ddu, Sbigfrwynen Goch, Ysbigfrwynen Goch

Synonyms

• Scirpus campestris (Rottb.)
• Scirpus baeothryon (L.f.)
• Eleocharis meridionalis (Zinserl.)
• Eleocharis atacamensis (Phil.)
• Eleocharis quinqueflora subsp. fernaldii ((Svenson) Hultén)
• Eleocharis pauciflora ((Lightf.) Link)
• Scirpus quinqueflorus (Hartmann)
• Eleocharis obscura (T.Koyama)
• Eleocharis pauciflora var. fernaldii (Svenson)
• Scirpus graecus (Quézel & Contandr.)
• Scirpus baeothryon var. minor (Schrad.)
• Trichophorum pauciflorum ((Lightf.) Pignatti)
• Cyperus pauciflorus ((Lightf.) Missbach & E.H.L.Krause)
• Eleocharis vierhapperi (Bojko)
• Baeothryon halleri ((Vill.) T.Nees)
• Eleocharis baeothryon (Schult.)
• Scirpus baeothryon var. campestris ((Rottb.) Boenn.)
• Isolepis andina (Phil.)
• Scirpus sepium (Honck.)
• Scirpus pauciflorus var. minor ((Schrad.) Lange)
• Scirpus pauciflorus f. minor ((Schrad.) Blytt)
• Scirpus pauciflorus var. campestris ((Rottb.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Scirpus baeothryon var. major (Schrad.)
• Eleocharis czernjajevi (Zoz)
• Scirpus pauciflorus var. fernaldii ((Svenson) Hiitonen)
• Limnochloa baeothryon var. minor (Rchb.)
• Eleocharis quinqueflora subsp. meridionalis ((Zinserl.) T.V.Egorova)
• Baeothryon pauciflorum ((Lightf.) A.Dietr.)
• Eleocharis fernaldii ((Svenson) Á.Löve)
• Trichophorum vierhapperi ((Bojko) Pignatti)
• Limnochloa baeothryon ((L.f.) Rchb.)
• Clavula boeotryon ((L.f.) Dumort.)
• Limnochloa pauciflora ((Lightf.) Peterm.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chile North (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Julia Henning (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by jcasado94 (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by jcasado94 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 28, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2717493)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:307064-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eleocharis quinqueflora (Hartmann) O.Schwarz)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 2

Soil salinity: 1