Morphological Development and Germination of Dwarf Spikerush (Eleocharis coloradoensis)

Abstract

Dwarf spikerush [Eleocharis coloradoensis(Britt.) Gilly] is an aquatic plant that will displace waterweeds. It was studied to obtain information that will help to manage unwanted vegetation in natural aquatic situations. The morphology of seed and tubers was examined at the light- and scanning-electron microscope levels. Inflorescences were found to bear 3 to 12 florets that matured acropetally. The pericarp was made up largely of rows of annulated cells covered with a water-soluble, waxlike substance that leached away when stored in water at 4 to 6 C. The seed coat consisted of three layers. Each layer contained lipids, giving evidence that they were composed of cutin. When the seed germinated, the cotyledonary sheath emerged first, followed by the culms. Tubers formed and matured in about 30 days. The shoot apices of tubers each had two buds that were protected by five to seven overlapping membraneous leaf scales. When tubers sprouted the longest bud grew first. The second bud contained the culm meristem.