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Native Plant Trust: Go Botany Discover thousands of New England plants

Luzula acuminata — hairy wood rush

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Facts

There are two varieties of hairy wood rush in New England, one of which is common, while the other is extremely rare. This variety has a much more southerly distribution, so the lone record from Connecticut represents its northernmost occurrence.

Habitat

Forest edges, forests, woodlands

New England distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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North America distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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Characteristics

Habitat
  • terrestrial
  • wetlands
New England state
  • Connecticut
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Vermont
Stem shape in cross-section
the stem is round or oval in cross-section
Leaf blade width
2–12 mm
Leaf blade cross-section
the leaf blade is flat or rolled in at the edges
Inflorescence position
the inflorescence is at the tip of the plant
Inflorescence branching
the inflorescence is branched
Fruit type (general)
the fruit is a capsule, with at least three seeds in it
Fruit length
2.7–4.2 mm
Leaf position on plant
some leaf attachment points are above the midpoint of the stem
Perianth composition
the perianth is green or brown, with six sepal-like parts, and a leafy texture
Fruit cross-section
the fruit is triangular to terete (circular) in cross-section
Show all characteristics

  • Flowers

    Anther color (dry)
    the anthers range in color from white to tan or yellow to yellow-brown
    Floral bristle color
    NA
    Floral bristle number
    NA
    Floral bristle relative length
    NA
    Floral bristles
    NA
    Floral scale hairs
    NA
    Floral scale length
    0 mm
    Floral scale nerves
    NA
    Flower number per cluster
    1
    Inflorescence bract angle
    the bracts are vertical or angled only slightly outwards
    Inflorescence bract number
    there are two to five bracts per inflorescence
    Inflorescence bract position (Sparganium)
    NA
    Inflorescence bracts
    there are at least two bracts, and they are either flat or folded or rolled in at the edges
    Inflorescence branching
    the inflorescence is branched
    Inflorescence crowding
    the inflorescence is at least somewhat spread out, with at least one branch coming from the main stem
    Inflorescence position
    the inflorescence is at the tip of the plant
    Inflorescence shape
    the aggregations within the inflorescence are roughly circular (not flattened) in cross-section
    Inflorescence type
    there are two or more flowers, spikes or flower clusters on a branched inflorescence
    Perianth composition
    the perianth is green or brown, with six sepal-like parts, and a leafy texture
    Stamen length
    1.2–1.7 mm
    Stamen number
    4-6
    Stigma number
    3
    Style division
    the top two thirds of the style is divided
    floral bristle barbs
    NA

  • Fruits or seeds

    Achene beak length
    0 mm
    Achene surface texture
    NA
    Achene tubercle relative width
    NA
    Achene tubercle width
    0 mm
    Capsule relative length
    the capsule is longer thant he perianth
    Fruit cross-section
    the fruit is triangular to terete (circular) in cross-section
    Fruit length
    2.7–4.2 mm
    Fruit type (general)
    the fruit is a capsule, with at least three seeds in it
    Fruit type (specific)
    the fruit is a capsule (splits along two or more seams, apical teeth or pores when dry, to release two or more seeds)
    Locules in capsule
    the capsule has one locule
    Seed length
    1–1.5 mm
    Seed tail relative length
    1–1.5 mm
    Seed tails
    the seeds have tail-like projections
    Tubercle height
    0 mm

  • Growth form

    Lifespan
    the plant lives more than two years
    Rhizome thickness
    1–2 mm
    Underground organs
    the plant has a rhizome (a horizontal underground stem with roots growing from it)

  • Leaves

    Auricle length
    0 mm
    Auricle texture
    NA
    Auricles
    there are no auricles on the leaf sheath
    Leaf blade cross-section
    the leaf blade is flat or rolled in at the edges
    Leaf blade length
    2–32 mm
    Leaf blade width
    2–12 mm
    Leaf form
    all the leaves hold their form out of water
    Leaf position on plant
    some leaf attachment points are above the midpoint of the stem
    Leaf septa
    the leaf blades do not have transverse septa
    Leaf sheath hairs
    the leaf sheathes have hairs on them
    Pedicel length (Typha)
    0 mm
    Stem leaf blade ligules
    there are no ligules at the leaf blade bases
    Stem leaf blades
    there are fully-developed leaves with leaf blades on the main stem
    Width of seed-producing inflorescence
    30–60 mm

  • Place

    Habitat
    • terrestrial
    • wetlands
    New England state
    • Connecticut
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • New Hampshire
    • Vermont
    Specific habitat
    • edges of forests
    • forests
    • woodlands

  • Stem, shoot, branch

    Plant height
    10–40 cm
    Stem shape in cross-section
    the stem is round or oval in cross-section
    Stem thickness at midpoint
    3–5 mm

Wetland status

Usually occurs in non-wetlands, but occasionally in wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: FACU)

In New England

Distribution

Connecticut
present
Maine
present
Massachusetts
present
New Hampshire
present
Rhode Island
absent
Vermont
present

Conservation status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.

Rhode Island
concern (code: C)

var. acuminata

Massachusetts
fairly widespread (S-rank: S4)

Subspecies and varieties

Luzula acuminata Raf. var. acuminata is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, VT. L. acuminata var. carolinae (S. Wats.) Fern. is known from CT and is of regional conservation concern.

From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key

1.  Luzula acuminata Raf. NC

hairy wood rush. 1a. Luzula carolinae S. Wats.; 1b. Juncoides saltuense (Fern.) Heller; Luzula carolinae S. Wats. var. saltuensis (Fern.) Fern. • CT, MA, ME, NH, VT. Deciduous or mixed evergreen-deciduous forests and woodlands, forest edges.

1a.  Most or all of the primary branches of the inflorescence branched 1 or more times and bearing 2–4 flowers … 1a. L. acuminata var. carolinae (S. Wats.) Fern.

1b.  Most or all of the primary branches of the inflorescence simple and bearing a single flower … 1b. L. acuminata var. acuminata

Variety carolinae is known from only CT and is of regional conservation concern. The record is based on an herbarium specimen examined by Janice Swab (personal communication). Unfortunately, the location of that specimen is now unknown. Variety acuminata is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, VT and is demonstrably secure in New England.

Native to North America?

Yes

Sometimes confused with

Luzula parviflora:
inflorescence with several-branched branches and plants flowering in late spring through summer (vs. L. acuminata, with the inflorescence with simple or once-forked branches and plants flowering in early through mid-spring).

Synonyms

  • Juncoides saltuense (Fern.) Heller
  • Luzula carolinae S. Wats. var. saltuensis (Fern.) Fern.

Family

Juncaceae

Genus

Luzula