Juncus thomsonii, Thomson's Rush

Juncus thomsonii Buchenau
Family: Juncaceae
Synonym: Juncus leucomelas var. thomsonii (Buchenau) Buchenau, Juncus thomsonii var. fulvus K.F.Wu



Common name: Thomson's Rush
Chinese: 展苞灯心草

Description: Plants perennial, tufted in tussocks, (5--)10--20(--30) cm tall. Rhizome short. Stems terete, 0.6--1 mm in diam. Leaves all sub-basal, usually 2; leaf sheath reddish brown, margin scarious, auricles acute, membranous, free portion ca. 0.5 mm; leaf blade linear, 1--10 cm, apex with a callus. Inflorescences terminal; head solitary, 5--10 mm in diam., 2--8-flowered; bracts 3 or 4, spreading, ovate-lanceolate, 3--8 × 1--3 mm, shorter than head, apex obtuse. Perianth segments yellowish white, straw-colored, or chestnut brown, oblong-lanceolate, 4.5--5 × 1.2--1.6 mm, equal or inner ones slightly shorter than outer, apex obtuse. Stamens 6; filaments 4.3--6 mm; anthers linear, 1.6--2 mm. Style short; stigmas 1.1--2.2 mm. Capsule reddish brown to dark brown when mature, trigonous ellipsoid, 4--5 mm, 3-septate, apex beaked; beak 0.5--1.5 mm. Seeds oblong, 0.7--1 mm; appendages 2, whitish, 0.8--1 mm. Fl. Jul--Aug, fr. Aug--Sep.