Heath Rush (Juncus squarrosus)

Family: Juncaceae

Common name: Heath Rush

Scientific name: Juncus squarrosus

Date taken: 9/6/2024

Notes: Common rush species found in heathlands which doesn't need particularly wet conditions. This population is found growing on a dry track. Plant characterised by its conspicuous reddish brown sheaths surrounding inflorescence. Leaves basal and appears cylindrical from afar. When observed up close one could see the strongly recurved leaf margins. 

Heath Wood-rush (Luzula multiflora)

Family: Juncaceae

Common name: Heath Wood-rush

Scientific name: Luzula multiflora

Date taken: 26/5/2024

Notes: Compared with other Luzula species, key features to look for include - 

1. Flowers in clusters, chestnut-brown in colour
2. Plant with sparsely hairly normal flat leaves, but not as robust as that in Great Wood-rush (L. sylvatica)
3. Plant not rhizomatous, anthers <3 times as long as filaments, which distinguishes it from Field Wood-rush (L. campestris), a smaller grassland specialist

Several subspecies have been recorded in the UK. The following population has reasonably wide leaves (>3mm) with flowers on several stalked clusters, so resembles ssp. multiflora. 

Great Wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica)

Family: Juncaceae

Common name: Great Wood-rush

Scientific name: Luzula sylvatica

Date taken: 26/5/2024

Notes: Largest of the Luzula sp. with sparsely hairy leaves approximately 1cm wide. Found in woodlands.