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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Drummond's Rush
Juncus drummondii E. Meyer

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Rush (Juncaceae)
Flowering: July-August
Field Marks: This rush is recognized by its 1-4 flowers near the tip of the stem, subtended by a short bract that appears to be a continuation of the stem. The capsules usually have a shallow notch at the tip, and the seeds have a long "tail" at
Habitat: Wet meadows, moist woods, along streams, sometimes above timberline.
Habit: Tufted perennial herb with fibrous roots.
Stems: Upright, unbranched, terete, up to 18 inches tall, smooth.
Leaves: Reduced to sheaths, or only with a bristle-like blade up to 2 1/2 inches long.
Flowers: 1-4 near the tip of the stem, subtended by a bract that appears to be a continuation of the stem; bract terete, smooth, up to 2 inches long.
Sepals: 3, lanceolate, 1/4-1/3 inch long, pointed at the tip.
Petals: 3, lanceolate, 1/4-1/3 inch long but usually slightly shorter than the sepals, pointed at the tip.
Stamens: 6.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth.
Fruits: Capsules ellipsoid, shallowly notched at the tip, 1/4-1/3 inch long; seeds up to 1/10 inch long, whitish, with a slender "tail" at each end.
Notes: The seeds are eaten by waterfowl.

Previous Species -- Colorado Rush (Juncus confuses)
Return to Species List -- Group 4
Next Species -- Three-stamen Rush (Juncus ensifolius)

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/florawe/species/4/juncdrum.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:25:04 EST
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