Eleocharis atropurpurea
in C. B. Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 196. 1828.
Plants tufted, without creeping rhizomes. Culms 2–12 (–19) cm × 0.2–0.4 mm. Leaves: distal leaf-sheaths firm, distally tightly sheathing, apex acute. Spikelets ovoid to ellipsoid, 2–6 (–8) × 1–2.5 mm, apex acute; proximal scale with or without flower, not amplexicaulous; floral scales to 100, 15–19 per mm of rachilla, often loosely appressed, dark redbrown to stramineous, ovate to elliptic, 0.6–1.3 × 0.3–0.7 mm, membranous, apex rounded to acute. Flowers: perianth bristles (0–) 4–6, typically 4, colorless to whitish, vestigial to 1/2 as long as achene, smooth or spinuliferous; styles 2-fid. Achenes black, obovoid, biconvex, 0.3–0.5 × 0.3–0.4 mm, apex often constricted proximal to tubercle, smooth at 40X. Tubercles stramineous to whitish, umbonate to subconic, 0.1–0.2 × 0.1–0.2 mm, apex acute. 2n = 20.
Phenology: Fruiting summer–fall (Jun–Sep).
Habitat: Canal banks, hammocks, irrigation ditches, lake and pond margins, maritime shores, rice fields
Elevation: 0–1800 m
Distribution
B.C., Ala., Calif., Fla., Ga., Iowa, Kans., La., Mich., Mo., Nebr., N.Mex., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tex., Wash., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Europe (naturalized), Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands
Discussion
Eleocharis atropurpurea has been reported from Colorado, Montana, and Virginia; I have not seen voucher specimens.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
"shortened" is not a number.