| Eleocharis caribaea |
| Spike-rush |
Key Characteristics
Small annual spike-rush (40 cm) of marly shores; stems clumped without rhizomes; achenes relatively large (1 mm) and black, somewhat flattened, topped by a small white cap; bristles arising from base of achene reddish-brown, short.
Status and Rank
- State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
- State Rank: S1 - Critically imperiled
- Global Rank: G4G5 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from apparently secure to secure
Occurrences
| County Name | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 1 | 1937 |
| Washtenaw | 2 | 1936 |
![Occurrence Map for [Sname]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116121346im_/http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/maptmp/NFR_Distributions12321078075148.png)
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
Known from wet, marly shores of inland lakes, occasionally growing in shallow water. Elsewhere within its Midwest range, this species occurs on marl lake borders and dried sloughs, and also occurs on exposed wet sand on the margins of lakes and ponds. This species has not been seen in Michigan since 1937.
Natural Community Types
Associated Plants
Virtually no associate data known for Michigan, although one collection notes the presence of alkaline site (calciphilous) species. In the Chicago region, this species is reported from calcareous lake borders, where it is associated with nut-grass (umbrella sedge), Kalm's lobelia, and bog arrow-grass.
Management
This species requires conservation of habitat and protection of the hydrology, including maintenance of cyclical drawdown regime and water table. Maintain moist, open habitat. It is also vulnerable to ORV impacts and dredging and filling activities, and may also be susceptible to herbicides used for aquatic plant control.
General Survey Guidelines
Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgement of the investigator.
Survey Methods
- Meander search
Survey Period: From first week of August to fourth week of September
References
Survey References
- Elzinga, C.L., D.W. Salzer, and J.W. Willoughby. 1998. Measuring and Monitoring Plant Populations. The Nature Conservancy and Bureau of Land Management, Denver. BLM Technical Reference 1730-1. 477pp.
- Goff, G.F., G.A. Dawson, and J.J. Rochow. 1982. Site examination for Threatened and Endangered plant species. Environmental Management 6(4): 307-316
- Nelson, J.R. 1984. Rare Plant Field Survey Guidelines. In: J.P. Smith and R. York. Inventory of rare and endangered vascular plants of California. 3rd Ed. California Native Plant Society, Berkeley. 174pp.
- Nelson, J.R. 1986. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques For Impact Assessment. Natural Areas Journal 5(3):18-30.
- Nelson, J.R. 1987. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques for Impact Assessment. In: Conservation and management of rare and endangered plants. Ed. T.S. Elias. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 8pp.
Technical References
- Crow, G.E. and C.B. Hellquist. 2000. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Northeastern North America. Volume 1. Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms: Dicotyledons. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 480pp.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee. 2002. Flora of North America, North of Mexico. Volume 23: Magnoliaphyta: Commelinidae (in part): Cyperaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. 608pp.
- Gleason, H. A., and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second edition. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 910pp.
- Godfrey, R.K. and Wooten. 1981. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Southeastern United States. Dicotyledons. University of Georgia Press, Athens. 712pp.
- Gray, A. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany; eighth ed. Van Nostrand Reinghold, New York. 1632pp.
- Holmgren, N.H. 1998. Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual. Illustrations of the vascular plants of Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 937pp.
- Voss, E. G. 1972. Michigan Flora. Part I. Gymnosperms and Monocots. Bulletin of the Cranbrook Institute of Science and University of Michigan Herbarium. 488pp.