RUSH TRIBE 
~T 
** * Stems leafy ; not cylindrical nor jointed. 
13. Clustered "Alpine Rush, or Black-spiked Rush (J. casténeus). 
_ —Stem simple, with 2 or 3 half-round hollow leaves at the lower part ; heads 
of flowers terminal, usually solitary or in pairs, shorter than the numerous 
leafy bracts ; capsule shining, nearly twice as long as the sepals ; rootstock 
creeping. This is a very rare plant of the Highlands of Scotland and the 
north of England, growing in bogs at a great elevation. It is erect, and is 
from eight to ten inches high, flowering in July and August. 
14. Three-leaved Rush (J. trifidus).—Stem usually having one long 
leaf ; sheaths awned, those at the base of the stem leafless; bracts 2, at the 
top of the stem, very slender and bristle-like ; heads terminal, of about 
3 flowers ; rootstock and sheaths forming a dense matted mass. This rare 
species, inhabiting damp, rocky, mountainous places, has crowded, erect, 
thread-like stems, from four to ten inches high. Its pale brown flowers 
appear in July and August. 
15. Round-fruited Rush (J. compréssus).—Stem erect, flattened above, 
and rounded below; leaves linear, channelled ; cyme terminal, in one form 
shorter, in another longer, than the bracts; capsule roundish, spine-tipped ; 
rootstock creeping. This Rush bears slender unbranched stems, from six to 
twelve inches high, and acute channelled leaves. Its flowers appear in July 
on moist pastures, where it is common. A _ sub-species, with few-flowered 
panicles longer than the bracts, is found on salt grassy places, and is the 
Mud Rush (J. gerardi). 
16. Slender Spreading Rush (./. ¢énwis).—Stem slender, wiry, forked 
above, panicled; leaves linear, slightly channelled; capsule egg-shaped, 
shorter than the very acute leaflets of the perianth ; rootstock tufted. This 
is a slender Rush, about a foot high, flowering from June to August, and 
very rare. It occurs in moist sandy places in Herefordshire. 
17. Toad Rush (J. bufénius).—Stem branched, leafy ; leaves angular, 
bristle-like, channelled; cyme forked, longer than the bracts; perianth 
segments taper-pointed, membranous, longer than the capsule ; annual. This 
is a very small Rush, and is common in wet grounds. It is from four to 
eight inches high, its forked panicle bearing solitary flowers, mostly on one 
side of the stem, the flowers being pale green, with a white border. Its 
leaves are so very slender, that one might mistake it for one of the grasses ; 
and it is sometimes called Toad-grass. Its stems are numerous, crowded 
together, and of a light green colour. It flowers in July and August. 
*** * Leaves all from the roots. 
18. Heath Rush (J. squarrésus).—Leaves rigid and channelled ; heads 
clustered ; capsule inversely egg-shaped and spine-tipped; stems tufted, 
rigid The stems of this Rush are about a foot high and compressed. It 
has many stout rigid leaves, most of which turn one way. The rather large 
flowers appear in July, and are glossy brown, edged with yellowish-white. 
It is found on heathy grounds, such as Crabbe describes : 
‘* Here pits of crag, with spongy plashy base, 
To some enrich the melancholy place ; 
