36 BULLETIN 545, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The viability of the seed crop has not been determined. Other species 

 of the same genus growing in similar habitats have given results that 

 are comparatively low. (See Table 2, p. 58.) 



The forage value of Juncus parryi is not especially high, resembling 

 that of elk grass more than any of the other species described. Like 

 the latter, this rush is eaten to some extent early in the season, but 

 soon becomes extremely tough and unpalatable. For this reason, 

 if other forage is available, it remains untouched by horses and 

 sheep. Since it is grazed to such a limited extent, practically nothing 

 is known of its nutritive qualities. 



A number of other rushes of minor importance occur throughout 

 the mountains, the majority in moist soils. 



WOOD RUSH. 



(Juncoides parviflorum.} 



This genus is closely related to the rushes and resembles them in 

 general character. It may be distinguished from the latter, how- 

 ever, by the leaf sheaths, which in this genus are closed and in the 

 rushes open. Further, the seed vessel or capsule of Juncoides bears 

 3 seeds while in Juncus the capsule is many-seeded. About 60 species 

 are on record and they are widely distributed. 



Wood rush is a tufted, hardy, perennial plant, the stems, com- 

 monly 2 to 3 in a tuft, 1 to 2 feet high. As shown in Plate XXXIV, 

 the grasslike flat leaves, usually about one-third the length of the 

 flower stems, are wide and sharp-pointed; inflorescence a loose panicle, 

 commonly 2^ to 4 inches long, its lowest bract foliaceous, usually 

 less than J the length of the panicle; flowers borne singly or 2 to 3 

 together on the branches of the panicle on slender pedicels or stalks. 



Wood rush is strictly a high-range plant, and while found to a 

 limited extent in the warmer situations of the Arctic-alpine zone 

 it is almost entirely confined to the Hudsonian zone. The densest 

 and most luxuriant growth occurs in the semihumid soils of exposed 

 situations, though it is often found in considerable abundance both in 

 well-drained soils and on forested areas. Its most common associate 

 is tufted hair-grass (Desckampsia caespitosa) and black hair-grass 

 (D. atropurpurea) . In water requirements it is similar to the two 

 species of hair-grasses, neither of which may be classed as highly 

 drought resistant. It is usually unable to recover from a wilted con- 

 dition in its natural habitat when the water content of the soil drops 

 to between about 10 and 12.5 per cent. 



Since the plant grows only on the higher and relatively moist soils, 

 the flower stalks seldom begin to show until July 20. Three weeks 

 later practically all have been produced. Matured seeds are found 

 about the time that the last flower stalks are sent forth, though the 



