Juncus inflexus L.
Hard Rush
Large dense tufts; rhizome short. Stems 25-60 cm × 1-1.5- (2) mm, stiffly erect, wiry, dull grey-green, prominently ridged, pith interrupted. Basal sheaths glossy dark purple-brown to black. Inflorescence 3-7 cm long, branches spreading or more densely packed. Flowers evenly spaced. Tepals 2.5-4 mm long, outer slightly > inner, all acuminate. Stamens 6. Capsule 2.5-3.5 mm long, ± = or slightly > tepals, ovoid, tapered to distinctly mucronate top, dark purple-brown.
N. Hawkes Bay - Hastings, Havelock North, Pakipaki, Taradale, Maungaharuru Range; Wellington - Kairanga. S. Westland - near Marsden; Otago - Cromwell, Kokonga, Kyeburn, Ranfurly, Waipiata. (Europe, S.W. to Central Asia, N.E. and S. Africa)
First record: Kirk 1878b: 393, as J. glaucus L..
First collection: Hastings, N. L. Elder, 20.1.1944 (CHR 42794-6).
At maturity, J. inflexus is distinct from other glaucous-stemmed spp. of comparable size - J. amabilis, J. australis, J. flavidus and J. sarophorus - in having very dark brown to black tapered capsules. In the absence of capsules J. inflexus may be distinguished from these spp. as follows: it has much darker sheaths than J. australis and J. flavidus and also forms denser clumps and has denser pith than J. australis; J. inflexus is less densely clumped and has smaller pith cavities than J. sarophorus, and its stems are shorter but more ridged than those of J. amabilis.
J. inflexus is well established and increasing as a pasture weed in the Maniototo Plains, Central Otago, but is not prominent elsewhere. Though normally not grazed, in Central Otago it is grazed in varying degree.
