Eleocharis bernardina

Fewflower spikerush

Family: Cyperaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Fewflower spikerush is a California native perennial found in the Transverse Ranges in fresh wet meadows and fens within conifer forest at elevations of 2,100 to 2,700 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces small spikelets 3 to 6 millimeters long with delicate flower bracts. Growing with strongly arched stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall and a weak rhizome, it forms compact clusters in moist mountain habitats. Its leaf sheaths are firm and persistent, with a subtly truncate or wide-obtuse tip that distinguishes it from similar wetland sedges. The fruits are small, two to three-sided, with fine net-like veining and often featuring a subtle beak-like tip crowned by unequal perianth bristles.

Habitat: Very local. Fresh wet meadows, fens in conifer forest

Bloom period: Summer

Elevation: 2100-2700 m

Bioregions: TR

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.