Juncus pervetus

Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, 7–10 dm. Rhizomes 3–7 mm diam., nodes not swollen. Culms erect, terete, 2–4 mm diam. Cataphylls 2–3, straw-colored, apex rounded. Leaves: basal 0, cauline 1; auricles 0.5–1.5 mm, apex blunt, cartilaginous; blade 25–35 cm × 1–2 mm. Inflorescences terminal panicles of 24–60 heads, 5–10 cm, branches spreading; primary bract erect; heads 15–50-flowered, spheric, 4.5–6 mm diam. Flowers: tepals light brown, lanceolate to oblong, 2–2.5 mm, nearly equal; stamens 6, anthers longer than filament. Capsules included with beak slightly exserted, chestnut brown, 3-locular, ovoid, 2.5 mm, apex acute proximal to beak, valves separating at dehiscence, fertile throughout or only proximal to middle. Seeds not seen.

Phenology: Fruiting fall.
Habitat: Upper border of salt marsh
Elevation: 0 m

Distribution

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Mass.

Discussion

All sheets that I have seen have aborted seeds. Juncus pervetus was thought to be Juncus subnodulosus, a European native (H. Weimarck 1946). It has been shown that this is a distinct species, however (S. Snogerup and B. Snogerup 1996). It would appear that this species is now extinct.

Selected References

Snogerup, S. and B. Snogerup. 1996. Juncus pervetus Fernald, a misunderstood N. American species. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien, 98 B S98(suppl): 423--426.

Weimarck, H. 1946. Studies in the Juncaceae. With special reference to the species in Ethiopia and the Cape. Svensk. Bot. Tidskr. 40: 141--178.

Lower Taxa

None.