Does anyone know what this "free floating" species is?

[smellinsage]

I and my husband are doing a botanical study of an old Borrow Pit. This is our second year at this site. We have not seen this growth here before. This plant is "free floating" (meaning the its roots are not going down into the soil) on the surface of the water. The water depth is about 16" - 18" deep, very acidic and has a lot of iron that has settled. The overall dimensions of the "leaves" are .1 - 3" long; the roots about 1 1/2".

When we started this study in 2012 the Borrow Pit had the appearance of an intermittent pond. But then an 18" rain storm last August filled it with about 2' - 2 1/2' of water. Also growing in the submerged area of the pit are two types of Eleochoris and Juncaceae; three clumps of Scirpus cyperinus and Dulichium arundinaceum.

Any ideas on what this "free floater" is?

 

[Boyd]

But then an 18" rain storm last August filled it with about 2' - 2 1/2' of water.

Sorry, I can't help. But I'm just curious about the "18" rain storm last August". When was that? According to the National Weather Service, it looks like none of NJ got any more than 10" of rain for the whole month of August 2012.

 

[smellinsage]

Upon reading my husbands daily log book, I now realize that the rain wasn't in August but in September. This was the big storm that flooded Bill Haines' and other growers cranberry fields along route 563 out of Chatsworth. The heavy local rains were associated with Hurricane Isaac around the 4th or 5th of September.

 

[Boyd]

Ah, looks like that was September 4. You were probably in the area of the white dot on this map, although it only indicates 10" rain. These maps are created from radar data and aren't going to be completely accurate on the local level. But 18"?... Wow! NJ weather constantly amazes me; we had less than an inch of rain that same day here in Estell Manor.

 

[bobpbx]

Ro,

Are the plants connected via rhizomes? Without a flower, ID is often difficult. It could be Carex striata trying to make a start on your plot.

Another couple of suspects; Cladium mariscoides or a Juncus species.

 

[smellinsage]

Thanks Bob. There are no rhizomes. Visited again today; same condition still exists. And no flowers or even the hint of putting out any.

 

[bobpbx]

Thanks Bob. There are no rhizomes. Visited again today; same condition still exists. And no flowers or even the hint of putting out any.

Very intriguing. It looks unatural, as if they are not used to that water level. Please keep me in the loop on this mystery. Closeup photo's would be helpful.

PS: are those reddish leaves I see? They look longer than 3". It's hard to see the scale without a hand or something in the photo.

 

[smellinsage]

Bob, I will go back in a day or two...with scale in hand and get some better pictures. For sure, I will keep you in the loop.

And yes, the leaves have been looking reddish. I kinda agree with you that that these plants aren't used to this depth of water. This is a real mystery.

 

[johnnyb]

Mystery solved.
There was a short period when the water level in this borrow pit went down, the plants rooted, and we were able to determine that they are Eleocharis, species not identified.

 

[bobpbx]

Mystery solved.
There was a short period when the water level in this borrow pit went down, the plants rooted, and we were able to determine that they are Eleocharis, species not identified.

Ahh. That makes sense.