Eleocharis spp., Spike Rush 



Thin wiry stems forming tufted clusters from a creeping rhizome, leafless, 

 but basal part of stem sheathed ; many of the stems topped with a conelike 

 brown or reddish-brown flower spikelet; wet margins of brackish ponds and 

 marshes. Several species, but identification cannot be made until fruits 

 (achenes) are ripe. For species identification reference should be made to 

 one or other of the manuals suggested. 



Figure 104. — Stem and flower spikelets X3- 



Eleocharis parvida 



A small spike rush, 1-7 cm high, growing in muddy areas 

 of tidal marshes and on wet saline or brackish shores. Plants 

 tufted with threadlike leaves, shallow fibrous roots. 



Figure 105.— Habit sketch XL 



87 (27) Juncaceae 



I. Tidal Marsh 



Juncus gerardi, Black Grass 



Wiry erect herbs resembling grasses or rushes, from slender rhi- 

 zomes growing horizontally in the marsh; leaf sheath extending 

 about one-third of the way up the stem, leaf blade stiflF, ascending 

 scarcely flattened; stem ends in a cyme of brown flowers (see Fig. 

 106) ; achenes protruding from floral envelope in late summer giv- 

 ing a dark brown aspect to the marsh zone; almost pure stands 

 growing at the upper, landward edge of the tidal marsh. 



Figure 106. — Flower cyme XI- 



42 



