Juncus ensifolius Wikstr.
dagger-leaf rush (swordleaf rush)
Juncaceae (Rush family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
dagger-leaf rush (swordleaf rush)
Juncaceae (Rush family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC
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.
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)
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) |
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
|
|||
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.Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Juncus ensifolius var. major Hook.
Juncus xiphioides var. triandrus Engelm.