Juncus validus
Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 22:305. 1895.
Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, sometimes to nearly cespitose, 4–10 dm. Rhizomes not tuberous, 2 mm diam. Culms erect, terete, 3–5 mm diam., smooth. Cataphylls 0. Leaves: basal 2–3(–6), cauline 1–4; auricles 1–3 mm, apex acute, membranaceous, absent on proximal leaves; blade green, laterally compressed, 9–70 cm × 2–6 mm. Inflorescences terminal panicles of 10–30 heads, 10–30 cm, branches spreading; primary bract erect; heads 20–30-flowered, spheric, (10–)12–15 mm diam. Flowers: tepals green to reddish, lance-subulate, 4–5 mm, apex acuminate; stamens 3, anthers 1/3–1/2 filament length. Capsules exserted, straw-colored, 1-locular, subulate, 4–5,5 mm, tapering to subulate tip, valves separating or not at dehiscence; fertile throughout or only proximal to middle.. Seeds broadly ellipsoid, 0.5–0.6 mm, not tailed; body clear yellow-brown.
Distribution
United States.
Discussion
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Inflorescence 10–30 cm; heads 20–30-flowered; capsule fully separating at apex after dehiscence | Juncus validus var. validus |
| 1 | Inflorescence 2–5 cm; heads 6–15-flowered; capsule remaining united at apex after dehiscence | Juncus validus var. fascinatus |