Leaves: apex generally callous. Inflorescences spikelike or umbellate. Flowers in glomerules. Seeds usually without tuft of hairs; caruncle conspicuous to barely visible.

Distribution

Temperate and arctic regions and tropical mountains.

Discussion

Species ca. 50 (15 species in the flora).

Selected References

BocherBöcher, T. W. 1950. Contributions to the flora and plant geography of west Greenland II. Meddel. Grønland 1477 (7): 11--23.

Jarolimova, V. and Kirschner, J. 1995. Tetraploids in Luzula multiflora (Juncaceae) in Ireland. Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 30: 389--96.

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

Kirschner, J. 1993. Taxonomic sSurvey of Luzula sect. Luzula (Juncaceae) in Europe. Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 28: 141--182.

Nordenskiöld, H. 1956. Cyto-taxonomical studies in the genus Luzula. II. Hybridization experiments in the campestris---multiflora complex. Hereditas (Lund) 42: 7--73.

Novikov, V. S. 1990. Konspekt sistemy roda Luzula DC. (Juncaceae). (Survey of the system of the genus Luzula).) Byjull. Moskovsk. Obshch. Ispyt. Prir., Otd. Biol. 95 (6): 63--70.

Lower Taxa

Luzula arcuata, Luzula bulbosa, Luzula campestris, Luzula comosa, Luzula confusa, Luzula echinata, Luzula groenlandica, Luzula kjellmaniana, Luzula multiflora, Luzula nivalis, Luzula orestera, Luzula pallidula, Luzula spicata, Luzula subcapitata, Luzula subcongesta

Key

1	Inflorescences dense, spikelike, though often interrupted, nodding	Luzula spicata
1	Inflorescences of distinct glomerules, not spikelike, sometimes lax but not nodding.	> 2
2	Inflorescences of sessile glomerules only or with smaller glomerules on short branches.	> 3
2	Inflorescences with central glomerule(s) sessile or nearly sessile, always with other pedunculate glomerules.	> 8
3	Proximal inflorescence bract conspicuous, usually well-exceeding inflorescence.	> 4
3	Proximal inflorescence bract inconspicuous.	> 7
4	Seeds 1.3 mm, caruncle absent.	Luzula subcapitata
4	Seeds 0.8–1.5 mm, with caruncle.	> 5
5	Seeds 0.8 mm, caruncle 0.2 mm	Luzula orestera
5	Seeds 0.9–1.5 mm, caruncle either barely visible or at least 0.3 mm.	> 6
6	Capsules ovoid; caruncle barely visible.	Luzula groenlandica
6	Capsules spheric; caruncle 0.3-0.8 mm	Luzula comosa
7	Tepals shorter than capsule; bracteoles deep brown, dentate	Luzula arctica
7	Tepals and capsule about equal; bracteoles clear to deep brown, conspicuously fimbriate	Luzula confusa
8	Inflorescence branches straight.	> 9
8	Inflorescence branches arching.	> 14
9	Inflorescence branches mostly erect; glomerules mostly cylindric.	> 10
9	Inflorescence branches divergent as much as 90°; glomerules not cylindric.	> 12
10	Tepals pale or with brown central area at maturity; seeds 0.7–1 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.3 mm	Luzula pallidula
10	Tepals pale brown to chestnut brown to blackish at maturity; seeds 0.9–1.7 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.7 mm.	> 11
11	Seeds 1.1–1.7 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.6 mm	Luzula multiflora
11	Seeds 0.9–1.3 mm; caruncle 0.5–0.7 mm	Luzula bulbosa
12	Leaves with callous apex; glomerules sessile to congested to spreading.	> 13
12	Leaves without callous apex, glomerules on elongate peduncles	Luzula echinata
13	Stolons slender and short, conspicuous rhizomes present	Luzula campestris
13	Stolons or conspicuous rhizomes absent.	Luzula comosa
14	Inflorescence branches arching in all directions; basal leaf sheaths bluish green	Luzula subcongesta
14	Inflorescence branches arching in 1 direction; basal leaf sheaths variously colored.	> 15
15	Basal leaf sheaths dull brown-gray to green; cauline leaves as large or larger than basal leaves	Luzula kjellmaniana
15	Basal leaf sheaths shining reddish to brown to purple; cauline leaves usually smaller than basal leaves.	> 16
16	Basal and cauline leaves not reaching inflorescence	Luzula arcuata subsp. unalaschkensis
16	Basal and especially cauline leaves often reaching or exceeding inflorescence	Luzula confusa