470 THE RUSH FAMILY. [ Juncus. 
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. 1062). Jointed Rush.—An exceedingly 
variable species in habit and size, but readily known by its leaves, which 
sheathe the stem below, and are cylindrical upwards, and hollow, but 
divided inside by cross partitions of pith, which give them, especially 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 
a short, fine leaf. Perianth-segments about the size of those of J. com- 
munis, 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 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 ascending 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 recognized British forms are: 1. J. articulatus proper (acuti- 
florus, Ehrh.); tall with jointed leaves, and dense clusters of dark 
chestnut-coloured flowers, 6 stamens and an acuminate capsule. 2. J. su- 
pinus, Moench. (uliginosus, Sibth.), with flaccid often floating stems rooting 
at the inflorescence, obscurely jointed slender leaves, 3 stamens and an 
obtuse mucronate capsule. 8. J. lamprocarpus, Ehrh., with a compressed 
stem, jointed leaves, 6 stamens, and a narrow beaked glossy capsule. | 
6. J. obtusifiorus, Ehrh. (fig. 1063). Obtuse Rush.—Probably to be 
added to the numerous varieties of J. articulatus, only ditfering 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. 
Mixed with J. articulatus on the continent of Europe, and in some 
localities as common. Not uncommon in marshy places from Mid-Scotland 
southwards, and in Ireland. FV. summer. 
7, J. compressus, Jacq. (fig. 1064). Round-fruited Rush.Stems 
1 to 14 feet high, erect and rather slender, slightly compressed at the base, 
with a few nearly radical leaves shorter than the stem, and one or two 
higher up, all very narrow and channelled or grooved. Flowers arranged 
singly or scarcely clustered, in a rather loose terminal panicle, of a shining 
brown. Perianth-segments obtuse, scarcely above a line long. Capsule as 
Jong or rather longer, with a short style. 
In wet, marshy places, especially near the sea, in Europe and Russian 
Asia, from the Mediterranean to the Arctic regions. In Britain not so 
generally spread as some other species, and rare in inland districts. £7. all 
summer. J. Gerardi, Loisel., is a variety with a narrower mucronate cap- 
sule, found in salt marshes. | 
