Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159915
Element CodePMCYP090K0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyCyperaceae
GenusEleocharis
Other Common NamesÉléocharide elliptique (FR) elliptic spikerush (EN) Elliptic Spikerush (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsThis record is for a narrow treatment of Eleocharis elliptica, excluding E. elliptica var. compressa (treated as E. compressa) and E. elliptica var. pseudoptera (treated as E. tenuis var. pseudoptera) as recognized by Kartesz (1994, 1999) and Smith et al. in FNA (2002, vol. 23).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-14
Change Date1984-04-24
Edition Date2025-07-14
Edition AuthorsJohnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsEleocharis elliptica is found across the northern United States, from Idaho to Tennessee and Maine, and Canada, from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to British Columbia. With a broad range, large number of occurrences, and a preference for widespread habitats, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsEleocharis elliptica is found across the northern United States, from Idaho to Tennessee and Maine, and Canada, from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to British Columbia (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 400 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Eleocharis elliptica is potentially threatened by development, water management, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.