Juncus ensifolius Wikstr.
dagger-leaf rush (swordleaf rush)
Juncaceae (Rush family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Judith Holm     (Photo ID #69039)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Juncus ensifolius
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

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.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
Purple
Blooming Period:
Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present over the Summer
Source:  The USDA

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Juncus ensifolius

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
531 5 1750
Slope Gradient (%)
5 0 75

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

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)

Habitat and Range

Wet, open, sandy soil in marshes, peat bogs, lakeshores and margins of creeks and rivers, from the lowland and steppe to subalpine zones; frequent in BC south of 55degreeN, infrequent N; amphiberingian, N to AK and YT, E to SK and disjunct to ON and PQ, and S to CO, AZ and CA; E Asia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Juncus ensifolius var. major Hook.
Juncus xiphioides var. triandrus Engelm.