Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula)
Range
q Europe, North
America, and northern
Climate, elevation
q Moist mild
climates. (3)
q Coastal lowland to
midmontane elevations. (3)
Local occurrence (where, how common)
q Scattered from
southern Vancouver Island along coast into
Habitat preferences
q Wet saline flats,
marshes, and alkaline lakes. (1)
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
q Grows individually
or in clumps along shorelines or in shallow water, sometimes forming ankle-high
turf-like mats. (1)
q Adapted to
fluctuating water levels and prolonged soil saturation. (1)
q Drought & shade
intolerant. (2)
Associated species
q Carex ssp. (4)
q Juncus effuses (soft rush) (4)
q Scripus acutus (hardstem bulrush) (4)
May be collected as:
(seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
q Seed, sprigs, bareroot & tubers. (2)
Collection
restrictions or guidelines
q Seed abundance is
low and seeds are non-persistent.
q Seeds ripen in late
August to October & may be collected by stripping the seeds from the plant
by hand or clipping the seed head using a pair of hand shears. (5)
Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)
q Cold stratification
not required. (2)
q Germination may be
slightly enhanced by lightly scarifying. (5)
Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long
shelf-life)
q NA
Recommended seed storage conditions
q NA
Propagation recommendations (plant seeds,
vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
q Bare root, seeds,
sprigs & tubers (2)
Soil or medium requirements (inoculums necessary?)
q Adapted to course,
medium & fine textured soils. (2)
q Anaerobic tolerance
is high. (2)
q Low fertility
requirements. (2)
Installation form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)
q Seeds need light,
moisture & heat for germination. Seed should be placed on soil surface (not
covered) with good soil contact. Germination within 1-2 weeks. Maintain
moisture until plants are transplanted. (5)
q Planting plugs (either from the greenhouse or wild transplants) is the
most successful way to establish this species. (5)
q Wild transplants can be collected & planted directly into desired
site. (5)
Recommended planting density
q Plug spacing of
30-45 cm will fill in within one growing season. (5)
Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
q Soils should be kept saturated.
Fluctuating water levels during the first year will increase spread. (5)
Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan
q Stoloniferous
growth form with moderate life span reaching 1.5’ at maturity. (2)
q Seed spread rate is
slow. (2)
q Vegetative spread
rate is rapid. (2)
Sources cited
1.
2.
USDA, NRCS. 2006. The Plants Database. Last Updated: 09/14/2005 http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ELPA5
Pojar,
Jim and Andy MacKinnon. Plants of the Pacific Northwest
4.
Stevens, M. and R. Vanbianchi.
Restoring Wetlands in
5.
USDA, NRCS. 1994. Interagency Riparian/Wetland Project ,
Wetland plant Fact Sheet, http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/idpmcfselpa3.pdf