Juncus pelocarpus

E. Meyer

Syn. Luzul. 30. 1823.

Common names: Brown- fruited rush jonc à fruits bruns
IllustratedEndemic
Synonyms: Juncus abortivus Chapman Juncus pelocarpus var. crassicaudex crassicaudex Engelmann Juncus pelocarpus var. sabulonensis H. St. John
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 22. Treatment on page 245.

Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, 0.3–7 dm. Rhizomes 1–3 mm diam., nodes not swollen. Culms erect, terete, 1–2 mm diam., smooth. Cataphylls 0 (rarely 1, straw-colored, apex obtuse). Leaves: basal 0–2, cauline 1–4, small fascicles of short capillary leaves often on rhizomes and stems; auricles 0.3–1 mm, apex rounded, membranaceous; blade terete, 1.5–11 cm × 0.8–1.1 mm. Inflorescences terminal cymes, flowers single or paired at nodes, (rarely in 3s), 2–25 cm, branches spreading to erect; primary bract erect. Flowers: tepals straw-colored, oblong; outer tepals 1.6–2.3 mm, apex obtuse; inner tepals 1.8–2.8 mm, apex obtuse; stamens 6, anthers 2–3 times filament length. Capsules included to exserted, chestnut brown, 1-locular, narrowly ovoid, 1.5–3.5 mm, apex acute proximal to beak, valves separating at dehiscence, fertile only proximal to middle. Seeds ovoid, 0.3–0.5 mm, not tailed; body clear yellow-brown. 2n = 40.


Phenology: Fruiting late summer–fall.
Habitat: Shores, peat bogs, sandy soils, pools, occasionally submersed in lakes, rarely in salt water
Elevation: 0–600 m

Distribution

V22 606-distribution-map.jpg

B.C., N.B., Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.), N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Ala., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ind., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., R.I., S.C., Vt., Va., Wis.

Discussion

Populations from Virginia and south have been separated as Juncus pelocarpus var. crassicaudex (J. abortivus) based on their taller culms and thicker rhizomes. The evidence used to support the varietal status for the southeastern plants (N. A. Murray and D. M. Johnson 1987) clearly demonstrates that these plants are the southern end of a cline.

The flowers are often replaced by bulbils.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Juncus pelocarpus"
Ralph E. Brooks* +  and Steven E. Clemants* +
E. Meyer +
Brown- fruited rush +  and jonc à fruits bruns +
B.C. +, N.B. +, Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.) +, N.S. +, Ont. +, P.E.I. +, Que. +, Ala. +, Conn. +, Del. +, D.C. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Ind. +, Maine +, Md. +, Mass. +, Mich. +, Minn. +, N.H. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, N.C. +, Ohio +, Pa. +, R.I. +, S.C. +, Vt. +, Va. +  and Wis. +
0–600 m +
Shores, peat bogs, sandy soils, pools, occasionally submersed in lakes, rarely in salt water +
Fruiting late summer–fall. +
Syn. Luzul. +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Juncus abortivus +, Juncus pelocarpus var. crassicaudex +  and Juncus pelocarpus var. sabulonensis +
Juncus pelocarpus +
Juncus subg. Septati +
species +