General:
Perennial herb from long rhizomes; stems erect, 30-60 cm tall.
Leaves:
Located on the lower half of the stem, strongly flattened, compressed laterally (iris-like), with partial cross-walls that run from the edges to about 2/3 of the leaf widths; sheaths open, with or without short, ear-shaped lobes.
Flowers:
Inflorescence terminal, with 1 to 10 heads, the heads globe-shaped, 5- to many-flowered; perianth segments greenish-brown to brownish-purple, 3-4 mm long, pointed, subequal; stamens 3 or 6; anthers 0.7-1 mm long, shorter than, or equal to the filaments.
Fruits:
Capsules, narrowly cylindrical, rounded, blunt, about as long as the perianth segments; seeds egg-shaped, about 0.5 mm long, lacking tail-like appendages.
Notes:
This is a variable species and includes two varieties that are sometimes treated as distinct species:
1. Heads 2 to 5, purplish-brown; stamens 3; blades 3-6 mm wide, sheaths lacking ear-shaped lobes........................... var. ensifolius
1. Heads 5 or more, pale brown; stamens 6; blades 2-4 mm wide, sheaths with ear-shaped lobes............................. var. montanus (Engelm.) C.L. Hitchc.
Flower Colour:
Purple
Blooming Period:
Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present over the Summer
Source: The USDA
Site Information |
Value / Class |
||
Avg |
Min |
Max |
|
Elevation
(metres) |
531 | 5 | 1750 |
Slope
Gradient (%) |
5 | 0 | 75 |
Aspect (degrees) |
192 | 5 | 315 |
Soil
Moisture Regime (SMR) [0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic; 8 - hydric] |
6 | 3 | 8 |
Modal
Nutrient Regime
Class |
C | ||
#
of field plots species was recorded in: |
114 | ||
Modal
BEC Zone Class |
CWH | ||
All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in |
CDF(2), CWH(73), ESSF(8), ICH(8), IDF(4), MH(4), MS(1), SBS(2) | ||
Source:
Klinkenberg 2013
|
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Juncus ensifolius var. major Hook.
Juncus xiphioides var. triandrus Engelm.