Rhizomes horizontal, short. Culms densely cespitose, 10–30(–35) cm. Leaves: basal blade green, 5–10 cm × 2–4 mm, firm, essentially glabrous; cauline leaves 2–3, 3–7 cm × 3–5 mm. Inflorescences: branches spreading less than 90°, lax; proximal inflorescence bract leaflike, 0.8–1.5 cm; bracts and bracteoles brown, clear at apex, margins strongly ciliate. Flowers single or in clusters of 2–3; tepals dark brown, 1–2.5 mm, ± equal, apex acute, not reflexed; anthers ± equaling filament length; stigmas 5 times style length. Capsules dark brown, ellipsoid, shorter than 2.5 mm, longer than tepals; beak absent. Seeds light yellow-brown, lanceolate, narrowed at ends, 1.2 mm. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting summer.
Habitat: Snowbeds and mesic heaths in subalpine and oceanic zones
Elevation: 400–2400 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Alta., B.C., Yukon, Alaska, Idaho, Mont., Oreg., Wash., e Asia.

Discussion

Selected References

Hämet-Ahti, L. 1965. Luzula piperi (Cov.) M. E. Jones. An overlooked wood rush in western North America and eastern Asia. Aquilo, Ser. Bot. 3: 11--21.

Lower Taxa

None.