Luzula acuminata

Rhizomes similar to stolons. Stolons to 6 cm, scale leaves present. Culms loosely cespitose, 10–40 cm × width3–5 mm. Leaves: sheaths reddish, throat pilose; blade sparsely pubescent; basal leaves 32 cm × 12 mm; cauline leaves 2–4, 2–4 cm × 2–5 mm. Inflorescences cymose, not rarely branching or often branching to 6 cm; proximal inflorescence bract 1/2–2/3 inflorescence length; bracts straw-colored, apex truncate, lacerate, glabrous or pubescent; bracteoles lance-ovate, 1/3–1/2 tepal length; pedicels single or paired, erect to spreading, 1–4 cm. Flowers: tepals pale to dark brown, 3–4.5 mm, margins entire, clear; anthers 2 times filament length; stigmas ± equaling style length. Capsules green to straw-colored, exceeding tepals; beak a mucro; valves widely spreading upon splitting. Seeds reddish to brown, 1–1.5 mm; caruncle curved, ± equaling length of seed body. 2n = 48.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

Ebinger, J. E. 1962. The varieties of Luzula acuminata. Rhodora 64: 74--83.

Lower Taxa

Luzula acuminata var. acuminata, Luzula acuminata var. carolinae

Key

1	Inflorescences simple, with occasional branch from near base of flower	Luzula acuminata var. acuminata
1	Inflorescences usually branching, with pedicels commonly paired	Luzula acuminata var. carolinae