Few-flowered spike-rush
Eleocharis quinqueflora
Family: Cyperaceae
Fire effect on plant
The direct effect of fire on few-flowered spike-rush is undescribed in the literature. However, in the closely related creeping spike-rush (E. palustris), individuals were top-killed by fire with rhizomes surviving (Hauser 2006).
Key traits
Few-flowered spike-rush has belowground rhizomes, which may support post-fire resprouting, as observed in closely related E. palustris (Hauser 2006), which also has seeds that germinate post-fire .
Seeds are animal dispersed 400–1500 m.
Plant response to fire
Responses to fire of few-flowered spike-rush are undescribed, but may be similar to those of E. palustris, whose populations increased in abundance over the first 2 years after fire, but then returned to pre-fire population sizes (Hauser 2006; Kost and De Steven 2000).
Timing of life history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering June to July.
Conservation status
None.
References
Hauser, A. S. 2006. Eleocharis palustris. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/graminoid/elepal/all.html [2024, February 2]. [Expert opinion; Grey literature]
Kost, M.A., De Steven, D. 2000. Plant community responses to prescribed burning in Wisconsin sedge meadows. Natural Areas Journal 20: 36-45. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]