Scientific Name
Juncus ensifolius Wikstr.
Common Name(s)
Swordleaf rush, dagger-leaf rush
Tribe / Family Name
Juncaceae
Flowering Period
June to August
Symbol
JUEN
Description
Swordleaf rush is a native cool-season perennial rhizomatous grass-like plant. Culms usually range from 20–60 cm in height with an erect growth habit and arise singly or loosely together. Inflorescences are on terminating stems or nearly so and of capitate clusters. Bracts are ensiform and smaller than the inflorescences. Flowers contain 6 tepals that are up to 4 mm long, lanceolate-acuminate, subequal, and tan, back, or purplish; the 3 or 6 stamens have anthers that are a little shorter to a little longer than the filaments; flower prophylls lacking. Stigmas 3. Fruits are capsules, triocular, shorter than to surpassing the tepals, and dark brown at maturity. Leaves are up to 6 mm wide, 2–4 per culm, basal and cauline, flat and tightly folded (iris-like), and somewhat septate. Sheaths are green or reddish with hyaline-scarious margins that are rarely prolonged into auricles.
General Info
Swordleaf rush is known to form dense stands and can be found along roadsides, streams, lakes, ditches, margins of springs, and ponds, in wet to seasonally dry meadows, marshes, seeps, sandbars, foothills, plains, valleys, and montane to subalpine sites.
Similar Species
Swordleaf rush is very distinctive and not easily confused with other grass-like plants due to its unique iris-like leaf structure.
Picture of growth habit. Note the Iris-like blade structure.
Inflorescences are on terminating stems and of capitate clusters (immature stage).
Inflorescences are on terminating stems and of capitate clusters (mature stage).
Close-up picture of equitant (overlapping in two ranks) blades.
Illustration of swordleaf rush. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. <i>Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species</i>. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.