Juncus. | LXXXVI. JUNCACEM. 469 
1. J. communis, Mey. (fig. 1058). Common Rush.—The shortly 
creeping matted rootstock bears dense tufts of cylindrical leafless stems, 
2 to 3 feet high or even more, erect, but soft and pliable, sheathed at the 
base by a few brown scales. Some of these stems remain barren so as to 
resemble leaves; others bear, on one side, at 4to 6 or 8 inches below the 
top, a densely-clustered panicle of small green or brown flowers; the very 
numerous, peduncles vary from a line or two to above an inch in length, 
the central smaller ones have but 2 or 3 flowers, the others a considerable 
number in irregular cymes, Perianth-segments about a line long, very 
pointed. Capsule about as long, very obtuse or even notched. Stamens 
usually 3 only. 
In wet situations, almost all over the northern hemisphere and in many 
parts of the southern one. In Britain, one of the commonest species. 
_ Fl, summer. Two extreme forms are usually distinguished as species, 
J. cenglomeratus, Linn., with the flowers densely packed in close clusters 
of about an inch diameter, usually brown; and J. effusus, with the panicles 
much looser, often 2 to 3 inches diameter, and paler coloured; but every 
gradation may be observed between them in this respect, as well asin other 
more minute characters which have been assigned to them respectively. 
2. J. glaucus, Ehrh. (fig. 1059). Hard Rush.—Resemble J. com- 
munis in its main characters, but the stems are seldom 2 feet high, and 
although thinner, yet harder and stiffer, and often glaucous ; the panicles 
but 2 or 3 inches below the top; the flowers rather larger, in a much 
looser and less branched panicle. Capsule of a shining brown, never 
flattened or hollowed at the top, but rounded or almost pointed. Stamens 
usually 6, 
Spread over Europe and Russian Asia, but not quite so abundantly as 
J. communis. Extends all over Britain. £l.summer. [J. diffusus, Hoppe, 
is a hybrid with J, effusus, having less glaucous leaves and imperfect 
seeds, | 
3. J. filiformis, Linn. (fig. 1060). Thread Rush.—Stems as soft as in 
J. communis, but very slender, and seldom much above a foot high. 
_ Clusters of flowers small, usually not above halfway up the stem; the 
flowers few, much larger than in J. communis; the perianth-segments 
about 2 lines long. Capsule shorter, obtuse, with a short distinct style. 
Stamens usually 6, 
In wet situations, in northern and central Europe and Russian Asia, and 
the mountain districts of southern Europe. In Britain, only known on 
the margins of lakes in northern England and Kincardine in Scotland. 
Fl. summer. 
4, J. balticus, Willd. (fig. 1061). Baltic Rush.—Rootstock more 
creeping 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. 
