PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Beaked Spike-rush (Eleocharis rostellata)

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Photo by WDNR Staff

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Beaked Spike-rush (Eleocharis rostellata), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in calcareous fens, often on bare shoreline marl flats. Blooming occurs early-June through early-October, fruiting late-June through mid-October. The optimal identification period for this species is early-August through early-October.

Scirpus rostellatus

 
 
 

Beaked spike-rush is a graminoid with oblong spikelets that are tapered at both ends, and wider than the stem. Its sepals and petals are reduced to 4-8 barbed bristles, the style is 3-parted. Its olive to brown achenes are rounded and 3-angled, tubercles are cone-shaped, joined with the achene body, and beaklike. Stems are flattened, wiry, 3-10dm long, and 1-2mm wide. The fertile stems are upright, the sterile stems are often arching and rooting at tip.

It can be distinguished from other Eleocharis species by its tubercle, which is not constricted at the base, thus does not form a distinct cap atop the achene.

Blooming occurs early-June through early-October, fruiting occurs late-June through mid-October.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-August through early-October.

Associated species include Gentianopsis procera, Rhynchospora capillacea, Tofieldia glutinosa, Potentilla fruticosa, Scirpus acutus, Untricularia intermedia, U minor, Bidens cernua, Aster borealis, and Parnassia glauca.

Beaked spike-rush is found in calcareous fens, often on bare shoreline marl flats.

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.

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.