PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Capitate Spike-rush (Eleocharis flavescens var. olivacea)

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Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Capitate Spike-rush (Eleocharis flavescens var. olivacea), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found on sandy, mucky, or peaty shorelines, as well as bog and poor fen mats. Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting throughout July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through July.

Eleocharis olivacea, Eleocharis olivacea var. olivacea, Eleocharis olivacea var. reductiseta

 
 
 

Capitate spike-rush is a graminoid with ovate spikelets, 2-7mm long and much wider than stem. Its sepals and petals are reduced to 6-8 barbed bristles, style is 2-parted, rarely 3-parted. Its fruits are brown lens-shaped achenes, 1mm long. Its tubercles are pale, cone-shaped, and constricted at base. Its stems are bright green, flattened, and 3-15cm long.

It can be distinguished from other Eleocharis species by the combination of its spikelet, which is wider than the stem, achene, which is lenticular (2-parted style), and its leaf sheath, which is membranous and cleft on one side.

Stoloniferous. Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting throughout July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through late-July.

Associated species include Scirpus smithii, S hudsonianus, Eleocharis intermedia, E acicularis, Larix laricina, Picea mariana, and Carex livida.

Capitate spike-rush is found on sandy, mucky, or peaty shorelines, as well as bog and poor fen mats.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Maintain and restore open habitat through selective clearing and brushing.

Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light. See forestry BMPs for invasive species.

This species is likely sensitive to water quality. Following BMPs around streams and buffering associated drainages will reduce eutrophication and prevent water quality degradation.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.