Scientific Name
Luzula parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv. (Synonyms: Juncus parviflorus; Luzula divaricata; Luzula fastigiata)
Common Name(s)
Smallflowered woodrush
Tribe / Family Name
Juncaceae
Flowering Period
June to August
Symbol
LUPA4
Description
Smallflowered woodrush is a native cool-season perennial bunched grass-like plant on rather short rhizomes. Culms range from 20–50 cm in height and has an erect to ascending growth habit with round stems that are green, stiff, and wiry. Inflorescences are open to diffuse, nodding panicles that are 4–15 cm long with many flowers usually borne singly at the branchlet-tips. Flowers contain 6 tepals that are 1.5–2 mm long, broadly lanceolate, acute, and tan to purplish; anthers equaling or shorter than the filaments; prophylls often half as long as the tepals, lacerate or entire, and whitish to tan in color. Stigmas 3. Fruits are capsules, globose to ovoid, greenish to purplish-brown, and equal to generally longer than the tepals. Leaves are 4–20 cm long, up to 13 mm wide, basal and (2–4) along stems, flat, and hairy (sometimes only on margins with a few long, white hairs).
General Info
This circumboreal species can be found along streams, in meadows, wetlands, thickets, open forests, disturbed sites, valleys, and montane to subalpine sites.
Similar Species
Smallflowered woodrush is very distinctive and not easily confused with other grass-like species. However, it may look similar to other woodrush (Luzula) species. This species can be distinguished from other woodrushes by comparing its height (which is sometimes greater than 30 cm), and the presence of 2–4 broad stem leaves and several basal leaves.
Picture of growth habit.
Inflorescences are open to diffuse, nodding panicles.
Close-up picture of closed leaf sheath, stem, and blade. Sometimes with a few long, white hairs along the margins.
Illustration of smallflowered woodrush. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. <i>An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols</i>. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 483.