Luzula parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv.
small-flowered wood-rush (smallflowered woodrush)
Juncaceae (Rush family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Reg Newman     (Photo ID #43779)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Luzula parviflora
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial, loosely tufted herb from elongated rhizomes; stems 20-50 cm tall, green or slightly reddish at the base.
Leaves:
Flat, sparsely fringed with fine hairs at the base of the blades, shorter than the stems, about 5-15 cm long, 3-10 mm wide, the stem leaves (3) 4 or more, broadly linear to lanceolate, pointed, bluish or greyish-green, dull, thick to thin; basal sheaths green or slightly reddish.
Flowers:
Inflorescence loose, open, nodding, with flowers borne singly or in 2-flowered clusters, the stalks arched; perianth segments brown with distinct midribs, translucent, 1.8-2.3 mm long, lanceolate, pointed, the inner about the same length as the outer; stamens 6; anthers 0.4-0.6 mm long, about as long as or shorter than the filaments; bractlets entire to deeply cut, but never strongly fringed; bracts entire to slightly fringed.
Fruits:
Capsules, ellipsoid, usually blackish-brown, pointed, slightly longer than the perianth segments; seeds cylindrical, about 1.2 mm long, lacking appendages.

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.

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
Green
Blooming Period:
Mid Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present from Summer to Fall
Source:  The USDA

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Luzula parviflora

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)
1380 0 2575
Slope Gradient (%)
25 0 420

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

201 0 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
4 0 8
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
C
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
2765
Modal BEC Zone Class
ESSF

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

AT(35), BAFA(81), BWBS(16), CDF(8), CMA(5), CWH(665), ESSF(1508), ICH(45), IDF(9), IMA(33), MH(61), MS(65), PP(1), SBPS(7), SBS(19), SWB(61)

Habitat and Range

Dry to moist meadows, shrubby slopes and streambanks in the montane and subalpine zones; frequent in mountains throughout BC; circumpolar, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to NY, MI, WY and CA; Eurasia, Greenland.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Juncoides parviflorum (Ehrh.) Coville
Juncus melanocarpus Michx.
Juncus parviflorus Ehrh.
Luzula melanocarpa (Michx.) Desv.
Luzula parviflora subsp. divaricata (S. Watson) Hultén
Luzula parviflora subsp. fastigiata (E. Mey.) Hämet-Ahti
Luzula parviflora subsp. melanocarpa (Michx.) Tolm.
Luzula parviflora subsp. parviflora
Luzula parviflora var. divaricata (S. Watson) B. Boivin
Luzula parviflora var. melanocarpa (Michx.) Buch.