Juncus. | LXXXVI. JUNCACEX, 471 
and the mountain districts of southern Europe. In Britain, only 
known on the margins of lakes in northern England and Kincardine 
in Scotland. Fl. swmmer. 
4. J. balticus, Willd. (fig. 1063). Baltic k.—Rootstock more creep- 
ing than in any of the foregoing. Stems very stiff and hard, 1 to 2 
feet high or more, often prickly at the end. Panicle lateral, more erect 
and much more dense than in J. glaucus, the flowers larger, usually 
dark-brown. Perianth-segments broader and not so pointed, especially 
the inner ones, which are often quite obtuse. Capsule about the same 
length, obtuse, with a short style. Stamens 6. 
Chiefly near the sea, at high northern latitudes, in Europe, Asia, and 
America. Spread all round the Baltic and along the eastern coasts of 
the North Sea. In Britain only in the north-eastern counties of 
Scotland. Fl. summer. It is probably a luxuriant variety of the 
J. arcticus, a common plant in the extreme north of Europe and Asia, 
and reappearing at great elevations in the mountain-ranges of central 
Europe. 
5. J. articulatus, Linn. (fig. 1064). Jointed R.-—An exceedingly 
variable species in habit and size, but readily known by its leaves, 
which sheath the stem below, and are cylindrical upwards, and hollow, 
but divided inside by cross partitions of pith, which give them, espe- 
cially when dry, the appearance of being jointed. Flowers in little 
clusters of from 38 or 4 to 8 or 10 or more, arranged in more or less 
compound terminal panicles; the outer bracts, and sometimes one or 
two of the others, ending in a short, fine leaf. Perianth-segments 
about the size of those of J. communis, either all pointed or the inner 
ones obtuse. Capsule more or less pointed, varying from the length 
of the perianth to half as long again. 
Throughout Europe and Russian Asia, from the Mediterranean to 
the Arctic regions, and at high latitudes in North America. As 
abundant in Britain as J. communis. Fl. all summer. In rich, moist, 
deep soils the stems form dense tufts 2 or 8 feet high, with loose, very 
compound, brown or green panicles 5 or 6 inches diameter. In dried- 
up sandy or muddy places the rootstock is more creeping, with ascend- 
ing stems, from a few inches to a foot or more, with much less branched 
panicles of a rich brown. On the edges of ponds and watery ditches 
the stems will spread over the water, rooting in it at the joints, often 
covering it to a great extent with dense floating masses. At high 
elevations the stems are often short and erect, with small panicles ‘of 
4 or 5 clusters of dark brown flowers. [The principal recognised 
British forms are: 1. J. articulatus proper (acutiflorus, Ehrh.); tall 
with jointed leaves, and dense clusters of dark chestnut-coloured 
flowers, 6 stamens and an acuminate capsule. 2. J. supinus, Moench. 
(uliginosus, Sibth.), with flaccid often floating stems rooting at the 
inflorescence, obscurely jointed slender leaves, 3 stamens, and an obtuse 
mucronate capsule. 3. J. lamprocarpus, Ehrh., with a compressed 
stem, jointed leaves, 6 stamens, and a narrow beaked glossy capsule. ] 
6. J. obtusiflorus, Ehrh. (fig. 1065). Obtuse R.—Probably to be 
added to the numerous varieties of J. articulatus, only differing from 
the common larger erect form in having all the segments of the 
perianth obtuse or nearly so, and about as long as the very pointed 
capsule. 
