Luzula multiflora (Ehrh.) Lej. subsp. multiflora
many-flowered wood-rush (common woodrush)
Juncaceae (Rush family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Rod Innes     (Photo ID #10640)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial, densely tufted herb from short rhizomes, without stolons; 5-50 cm tall.
Leaves:
Flat, fringed with fine hairs, 3-15 cm long and 3-6 mm wide; sheaths green.
Flowers:
Inflorescence with about 5 to 15, stalked clusters, the clusters dense up to the base without remote basal flowers, each with 6 to 14 flowers; perianth segments pale green to dark brown, 2.5-4 mm long, lanceolate to egg-shaped, pointed or short-awned, the inner about the same length as the outer; styles slightly shorter to longer than the ovaries; stamens 6; anthers 0.6-1.2 mm long, longer than the filaments; bractlets scarcely fringed with a few hairs, less than 1/2 the length of the perianth segments; lower bract leaflike, well-developed, surpassing inflorescence or shorter.
Fruits:
Capsules, egg-shaped, the tops blunt or pointed, shorter than or longer than the perianth segments; seeds spindle-shaped, 0.8-1.2 mm long, with short appendages.
Notes:
This is a variable species with two subspecies in BC:

1. Outer perianth segments pointed, inner perianth segments blunt or with short, abruptly-pointed awns; capsules pointed, longer than the perianth segments; styles 0.3-0.5 mm long; alpine zone, northern BC....................... ssp. frigida (Buch.) Krecz.

1. All perianth segments equal in shape, slenderly pointed; capsules with blunt tops, shorter than the perianth; styles 0.5-0.8 mm long; lowland or montane zones......................... ssp. multiflora

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Luzula multiflora ssp. multiflora

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)
5 5 5
Slope Gradient (%)
0 0 0

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

0
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
7 7 7
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
B
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
1
Modal BEC Zone Class
CWH

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

CWH(1)

Habitat and Range

Dry open forests, rocky slopes and meadows in all vegetation zones; frequent throughout BC; circumpolar or disjunct cosmopolitan, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to VA, KY, IA, ND, MT, ID, and CA; Eurasia, S America, Philippines, New Zealand, Australia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Juncus campestris var. multiflorus Ehrh.
Juncus multiflorus (Ehrh.) Hoffm., non Retz.
Luzula campestris var. multiflora (Ehrh.) Celak.
Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora
Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora (Ehrh.) Lej.