Arctic Rush

Numerous entities have been circumscribed and recognized at various nomenclatural ranks by a plethora of authors addressing state or regional floras. In considering the Juncus arcticus-balticus complex as a whole in North America, one is soon confronted with a wide-ranging and obviously polymorphic complex that has not read the literature. It is abundantly clear that the systematics of the group will not be solved on the basis of morphology alone and that resolution of the problem is ripe for molecular investigations.

Herbs, perennial, 2--10 dm. Rhizomes long- creeping. Culms erect, 1--3 mm diam. Cataphylls several. Leaves: blade usually absent (present in var. mexicanus). Inflorescences lateral, 3--many-flowered, loose to congested; primary bract barely exceeding to many times longer than inflorescence. Flowers variously pedicellate; bracteoles membranous; tepals chestnut brown or paler, lanceolate, (2.5--)3.3--5.5(--6) mm, margins clear; inner series loosely subtending capsule at maturity; usually slightly shorter, margins scarious to clear, apex acutish to obtuse; stamens 6, filaments 0.2--1.1 mm, anthers 0.9--2.2 mm; style 0.9--1.5 mm. Capsules 3-locular or infrequently pseudo-3-locular, oblate to narrowly ovoid, 3.5--4(--4.5) mm, equal to or exceeding perianth. Seeds dark amber, oblate to ellipsoid, 0.6--0.8 mm.

Juncus arcticus is an extremely widespread rush species over the North American continent. It occurs throughout all parts of the USA, Mexico and Canada other than the southeastern USA and southern Mexico. Known as Arctic rush, the species form is characterized by erect culms that may reach one meter in height and creeping rhizomes; however, morphologically the species is complex and defies a monolithic interpretation.

Juncus arcticus, called the arctic rush, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Juncus, native to the subarctic and subalpine northern hemisphere. It is typically found in wetland and riparian habitats.