Luzula multiflora

Culms densely to loosely cespitose, 10–40 cm. Leaves: basal leaves 3.5–12 cm × 2–6 mm; cauline leaves equaling or exceeding inflorescences. Inflorescences: glomerules 3–16 (each with 8–16 flowers), 1–2 nearly sessile with others on evident peduncles, mostly cylindric; secondary branches sometimes present, usually straight, erect; proximal inflorescence bract barely as long as to exceeding inflorescence. Flowers: tepals pale brown to chestnut brown to blackish with clear margins, 2–4 mm; outer and inner whorl ± equal, or outer whorl slightly longer (outer whorl pointed, inner whorl pointed or truncate-mucronate); anthers not more than 2 times filament length; stigmas 0.8–1.5 mm; styles not persistent in fruit. Capsules pale to brown to black, globose, shorter than to ± equaling tepals. Seeds 1.1–1.7 mm; caruncles 0.2–0.6 mm.

Distribution

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North America, Eurasia.

Discussion

Many names have been applied to members of this variable complex throughout the range of this flora. No monograph is yet available to enable a satisfactory treatment.

Subspecies 6 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

Jarolimova, V. and J. Kirschner. 1995. Tetraploids in Luzula multiflora (Juncaceae) in Ireland. Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 30: 389--396.

Kirschner, J. 1990. Luzula multiflora and allied species (Juncaceae): A nomenclatural study. Taxon 39: 106--114.

Lower Taxa

Luzula multiflora subsp. frigida, Luzula multiflora subsp. kobayasii, Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora

Key

1	Tepals of outer and inner whorls not similar, outer whorl pointed, inner whorl truncate-mucronate; dark brown to chestnut to blackish	Luzula multiflora subsp. frigida
1	Tepals of outer and inner whorls similar, pointed, straw-colored to chestnut.	> 2
2	Tepals straw-colored to brown; cauline leaves not or only barely overlapping; proximal inflorescence bract equal to or barely exceeding inflorescence	Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora
2	Tepals chestnut; cauline leaves greatly overlapping; proximal inflorescence bract well exceeding inflorescence	Luzula multiflora subsp. kobayasii