The BioFiles - Bill Hubick

Common Pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum)

Source: Wikipedia

Eriocaulon aquaticum

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Eriocaulaceae
Genus: Eriocaulon
Species:
E. aquaticum
Binomial name
Eriocaulon aquaticum
Synonyms[2]
    • Cespa aquatica Hill
    • Eriocaulon articulatum (Huds.) Morong
    • Eriocaulon brevifolium Raf.
    • Eriocaulon pellucidum Michx.
    • Eriocaulon pellucidum f. clausenii Moldenke
    • Eriocaulon pellucidum f. pumilum (Raf.) Moldenke
    • Eriocaulon pumilum Raf.
    • Eriocaulon septangulare With.
    • Nasmythia articulata Huds.
    • Nasmythia septangularis (With.) Mart.

Eriocaulon aquaticum is a species of flowering plant within the genus Eriocaulon and family Eriocaulaceae. It is known by many common names such as the common pipewort,[3] northern pipewort,[4] seven-angled pipewort[5] and hatpins.[4]

Description

[edit]

Eriocaulon aquaticum is a perennial plant reaching a maximum height of 20 cm on land, however it can reach heights of several feet when submerged underwater. Grass-like, basal leaves sprout from the base of the plant. Blooms are made up of multiple tiny flowers, which are held above the waterline on long, unbranched stems.[4] The flowers are white and possess nectar glands near the tip of each petal to attract pollinating insects.[5] Blooms are monoecious, with male flowers at the centre of the flowerhead and female flowers surrounding them.[6]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

This species can only be found in the northern hemisphere.[2] It is widespread throughout North America where it can be found the states of: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.[2] It is also widespread throughout Canada and can be found within the following Canadian Provinces: Labrador, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Québec.[2] Within Europe E. aquaticum is only found in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[2]

Eriocaulon aquaticum is a wetland species, which inhabits bogs, ponds, lakes, marshes and slow flowing rivers.[7][8][4] It is generally a plant associated with temperate lowland habitats, however it has been recorded living up to 300 metres above sea level.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Maiz-Tome, L. (2016). "Eriocaulon aquaticum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. IUCN: e.T167860A78457047. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T167860A78457047.en.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Eriocaulon aquaticum (Hill) Druce". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Eriocaulon aquaticum". www.wildflower.org. 2018-11-30. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  4. ^ a b c d "Wildflowers of the Adirondacks: Northern Pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum)". wildadirondacks.org. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  5. ^ a b "Eriocaulon aquaticum — seven-angled pipewort". gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  6. ^ "Information on Pipewort". www.wildflowersofireland.net. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  7. ^ Haines, Arthur (2011). New England Wild Flower Society's Flora Novae Angliae A Manual for the Identification of Native and Naturalized Higher Vascular Plants of New England. Yale University Press. p. 172. ISBN 9780300171549.
  8. ^ a b "Eriocaulon aquaticum". www.brc.ac.uk. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.