Juncus ensifolius
Kongl. Vetenskaps Academiens Handlingar 2: 274. 1823.
Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, 2–6 dm. Rhizomes 2–3 mm diam. Culms erect, 2–6 mm diam. Cataphylls 0 or 1–2, straw-colored, apex narrowly acute. Leaves: basal 1–3, cauline 2–6, straw-colored; auricles absent; blade 2–25 cdm x 1.5–6 mm. Inflorescences panicles or racemes of 2–50 heads or heads solitary, 2–14 cm, erect or ascending branches; primary bract erect; heads 3–70-flowered, obovoid to globose, 7–11 mm diam. Flowers: tepals green to brown or reddish brown, lanceolate; outer tepals 2.7–3.6(–4) mm, apex acuminate; inner tepals 2.2–3(–3.5) mm, nearly equal, apex acuminate; stamens 3 or 6; anthers ½1/2 to equal filament length. Capsules included to slightly exserted, chestnut to dark brown, 1-locular, oblong, 2.4–4.3 mm, apex obtuse proximal to beak. Seeds elliptic to obovate, 0.4–1 mm, occasionally tailed.
Distribution
Alta., B.C., Ont., Que., Sask., Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., N.Mex., N.Y., Nev., Oreg., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wash., Wis., Wyo., introduced in Europe and East Asia.
Discussion
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Stamens 3 | Juncus ensifolius var. ensifolius |
| 1 | Stamens 6 | Juncus ensifolius var. montanus |