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 2h to 4 inches long, its lowest bract foliaceous, usually 
less than \ 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 (Deschampsia 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 
