Juncus leiospermus

F. J. Hermann

Leaflets of Western Botany 5: 113. 1948.

Common names: Smooth-seeded rush
IllustratedEndemicConservation concern
Synonyms: Juncus leiospermus var. ahartii Ertter
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 22.

Herbs, annual, cespitose, 0.2–1.2 dm. Culms to 100, (0.2–)0.4–0.8 mm diam.. Leaves 1/3–3/4 height of plant. Inflorescences terminal clusters, each with 1–7 flowers; bracts subtending inflorescence 2–8, round to acutely ovate, inconspicuous, 0.7–2.4 mm, membranous. Flowers: tepals reddish to black, narrowly lanceolate to oblong, 2–4.6 × 0.5–1.4 mm; inner series usually slightly longer than outer, apex obtuse to acuminate; stamens 3, filaments 0.5–1.4 mm, anthers 1–3.2 mm; style persistent, 1.4–4 mm, stigma 1.3–4 mm. Capsules reddish, 3-locular, globose to ellipsoid or oblong, 2–4.5 × 1–3 mm, nearly equal to sepals. Seeds ovoid, 0.35–0.45 mm. n = 16.


Phenology: Flowering and fruiting in spring.
Habitat: Margins of vernal pools
Elevation: 0–500 m

Discussion

Plants from Butte and Calaveras Ccounties, California, tend to be smaller and consistently develop only one flower per culm; they may be recognized as Juncus leiospermus var. ahartii Ertter.

Of conservation concern.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Juncus leiospermus"
Ralph E. Brooks* +  and Steven E. Clemants* +
F. J. Hermann +
Smooth-seeded rush +
0–500 m +
Margins of vernal pools +
Flowering and fruiting in spring. +
Leaflets of Western Botany +
Illustrated +, Endemic +  and Conservation concern +
Juncus leiospermus var. ahartii +
Juncus leiospermus +
Juncus subg. Graminifolii +
species +