Leaves: apex generally callous. Inflorescences spikelike or umbellate. Flowers in glomerules. Seeds usually without tuft of hairs; caruncle conspicuous to barely visible.

Distribution

Temperate and arctic regions and tropical mountains.

Discussion

Species ca. 50 (15 species in the flora).

Key

1 Inflorescences dense, spikelike, though often interrupted, nodding Luzula spicata
1 Inflorescences of distinct glomerules, not spikelike, sometimes lax but not nodding. > 2
2 Inflorescences of sessile glomerules only or with smaller glomerules on short branches. > 3
2 Inflorescences with central glomerule(s) sessile or nearly sessile, always with other pedunculate glomerules. > 8
3 Proximal inflorescence bract conspicuous, usually well-exceeding inflorescence. > 4
3 Proximal inflorescence bract inconspicuous. > 7
4 Seeds 1.3 mm, caruncle absent. Luzula subcapitata
4 Seeds 0.8–1.5 mm, with caruncle. > 5
5 Seeds 0.8 mm, caruncle 0.2 mm Luzula orestera
5 Seeds 0.9–1.5 mm, caruncle either barely visible or at least 0.3 mm. > 6
6 Capsules ovoid; caruncle barely visible. Luzula groenlandica
6 Capsules spheric; caruncle 0.3-0.8 mm Luzula comosa
7 Tepals shorter than capsule; bracteoles deep brown, dentate Luzula nivalis
7 Tepals and capsule about equal; bracteoles clear to deep brown, conspicuously fimbriate Luzula confusa
8 Inflorescence branches straight. > 9
8 Inflorescence branches arching. > 14
9 Inflorescence branches mostly erect; glomerules mostly cylindric. > 10
9 Inflorescence branches divergent as much as 90°; glomerules not cylindric. > 12
10 Tepals pale or with brown central area at maturity; seeds 0.7–1 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.3 mm Luzula pallidula
10 Tepals pale brown to chestnut brown to blackish at maturity; seeds 0.9–1.7 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.7 mm. > 11
11 Seeds 1.1–1.7 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.6 mm Luzula multiflora
11 Seeds 0.9–1.3 mm; caruncle 0.5–0.7 mm Luzula bulbosa
12 Leaves with callous apex; glomerules sessile to congested to spreading. > 13
12 Leaves without callous apex, glomerules on elongate peduncles Luzula echinata
13 Stolons slender and short, conspicuous rhizomes present Luzula campestris
13 Stolons or conspicuous rhizomes absent. Luzula comosa
14 Inflorescence branches arching in all directions; basal leaf sheaths bluish green Luzula subcongesta
14 Inflorescence branches arching in 1 direction; basal leaf sheaths variously colored. > 15
15 Basal leaf sheaths dull brown-gray to green; cauline leaves as large or larger than basal leaves Luzula kjellmaniana
15 Basal leaf sheaths shining reddish to brown to purple; cauline leaves usually smaller than basal leaves. > 16
16 Basal and cauline leaves not reaching inflorescence Luzula arcuata subsp. unalaschkensis
16 Basal and especially cauline leaves often reaching or exceeding inflorescence Luzula confusa
... more about "Luzula subg. Luzula"
Janice Coffey Swab +
de Candolle +
Temperate and arctic regions and tropical mountains. +
in J. Lamarck and A. P. de Candolle, Fl. France, ed. 3 +
bocherb1950a +, jarolimova1995a +, kirschner1990a +, kirschner1993a +, nordenski1956a +  and novikov1990a +
Luzula sect. Gymnodes +  and Luzula subg. Gymnodes +
Luzula subg. Luzula +
subgenus +