Eleocharis quinqueflora - Few-flowered Spike-rush
The inland records for this Spike-rush, excluding the Lizard, are largely for the last century, but most of the recent records have come from coastal localities. It is most readily seen in wet areas at the side of streams crossing coastal paths. This applies to the site east of Coverack (SW71Z, 1995, R.J.Murphy) and to the coastal flush near Doyden Point (SW98Q, 1992, A.Atkinson). The colony near Kynance Gate (SW61W) on the Lizard has been known for very many years and it can still readily be seen here. The sand dune localities seem to be under threat. It used to be known on Godrevy Towans (SW54R) and is just surviving within the army grounds at Penhale Sands (SW75Y). Few-flowered Spike-rush is absent from the Isles of Scilly.
Click here to see Aphotoflora images by David Fenwick
Source:
French, C.N., Murphy, R.J. & Atkinson, M. 1999. Flora of Cornwall. Wheal Seton Press, Camborne.