Delicate Spikerush - Eleocharis bella
Other Names:
Pretty Spikerush
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State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Eleocharis bella has been found in most of the western United States. In Montana Eleocharis bella has been confirmed at three locations, and another two locations need to be verified. However, these five sites have not been re-visited from the time collections were first made from 1923 to 1996. Plants can be overlooked, and some populations were noted as being small, which could make them vulnerable to extirpation. In Montana wetland habitats are limited and can be subjected to anthropogenic disturbances. Surveys to re-locate populations, validate presence, and collect data on population size, locations, and threats are greatly needed.
Details on Status Ranking and Review
Range Extent
Score E - 5,000-20,000 sq km (~2,000-8,000 sq mi)
Comment 18,352 square kilometers for 5 observations or 5,726 square kilometers for the 3 verified observations.
Area of Occupancy
Score C - 3-5 4-km2 grid cells
Number of Populations
Score A - 1 - 5
Comment 3 specimens have valid identifications. 2 specimens are annotated, but might have databasing errors or duplicate specimens need to be re-evaluated; images are basically unavailable.
Environmental Specificity
Score B - Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common
Threats
Score C - Medium
Comment Wetland habitat can be limited and threatened in general.
Intrinsic Vulnerability
Score A - Highly vulnerable
Comment Populations are small.
Eleocharis bella - Delicate Spikerush, SOC
*Life Cycle: Annual; lacks rhizomes.
*Stems: 1-8 cm tall.
*Achene: whitish, honeycombed, obovoid, nearly round in cross-section, 0.5-1.0 mm long.
*Scales: about 1.0 mm long.
*Stigma: 3
Eleocharis ovata - Ovate Spikerush
*Life Cycle: Annual; lacks rhizomes.
*Achene: gray to brown, obovate, lenticular, and about 1.5 mm long.
*Scales: longer than the achene, 2-2.5 mm long.
*Stigma: 2
Eleocharis elliptica - Slender Spikerush
*Life Cycle: Perennial; rhizomatous.
*Stems: 10-14 cm tall.
*Achene: yellow, honeycombed, obovoid, and 1.0-1.5 mm long.
*Scales: longer than the achene, 2-3 mm long.
*Stigma: 3
Eleocharis acicularis - Least Spikerush
*Life Cycle: Perennial; rhizomatous.
*Stems: 1-25 cm tall.
*Achene: gray, honeycombed, obovoid, and about 1.0 mm long.
*Scales: longer than the achene, 1.5-2.5 mm long.
*Stigma: 3
Eleocharis rostellata - Beaked Spikerush, SOC
*Life Cycle: Perennial; tufted.
*Stems: 10-80 cm long, erect or arching and able to root at the tip to form new plants.
*Achene: green-gray, obovoid, and 2-6 mm long.
*Scales: longer than the achene, about 2.0 mm long.
*Stigma: 3
