Juncus.] LXXXVI. JUNCACEiE. 471 



and the mountain districts of southern Europe. In Britain, only 

 known on the margins of lakes in northern England and Kincardine 

 in Scotland. Ft. summer. 



4. J. balticus, Willd. (fig. 1063). Baltic R. — Kootstock 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 /. 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 

 /. 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 3 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 /. 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 Eussian Asia, from the Mediterranean to 

 the Arctic regions, and at high latitudes in North America. As 

 abundant in Britain as /. communis. Fl. all summer. In rich, moist, 

 deep soils the stems form dense tufts 2 or 3 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 (acutifiorus, Ehrh.) ; tall 

 with jointed leaves, and dense clusters of dark chestnut-coloured 

 flowers, 6 stamens and an acuminate capsule. 2. /. supinus, Mcench. 

 (uliginosus, Sibth.), with flaccid often floating stems rooting at the 

 inflorescence, obscurely jointed slender leaves, 3 stamens, and an obtuse 

 mucronate capsule. 3. «/". 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 /. 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. 



