JR's Botany Site

Separation of confusion pairs: Eleocharis …

multicaulis versus quinqueflora

Shared features

➢ tufted
➢ the basal glume +/- surrounds the base of the spikelet
➢ stigma 3-forked
➢ may grow in similar open seepage areas in mineral-influenced mires, sometimes in close proximity

Separation

Should not present problems when shoots are mature, as multicaulis is a more substantial plant, and typically has more the ‘look’ of larger species. More tricky when slender, and/or immature: in young spikelets the basal glume is a greater proportion of the spikelet.

Readily separated on:
➢ length of basal glume versus length of (mature) spikelet:
          multicaulis has the basal glume about 1/4 the length of the spikelet (left, below)
          quinqueflora has the basal glume about 1/2 the length of the spikelet (right, below), or even more

➢ spikelet with more flowers in multicaulis, making a longer spikelet

➢ upper leaf-sheath opening:
          multicaulis has an obliquely-cut opening, creating an apex (about 90 degrees, or ‘sharper’; see figure in species account of multicaulis)
          quinqueflora has a +/- transverse/truncate opening

multicaulis

      
quinqueflora

➢ basal glume (often?) notched at apex in multicaulis (below); rounded in quinqueflora

➢ style-base, very distinct in each case: constricted at attachment to nut in multicaulis; confluent with nut in quinqueflora

multicaulis


quinqueflora
(not quite to scale)

➢ multicaulis stouter with wider stem


Summary