Rush (9)

Rushes are distinguished by their smooth, round, solid stems. See also Bulrush and Small-flowered Woodrush.

	Alpine Rush Juncus alpinoarticulatus (J. alpinus) Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Northern Green Rush Photo taken on: July 22, 2014 Location: Poverty Gulch, GV, CO Life Zones: Montane to subalpine Habitat: Moist areas Grows to 18" with 1 or 2 narrow leaves. The flower head is branched with 2 to 10 flowers at the end of the branches. The bract is short below the flower head. Flora of North America reference.
	Mountain Rush Juncus arcticus ssp littoralis (J. balticus) Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Arctic Rush, Wire Rush, Baltic Rush Photo taken on: June 24, 2013 Location: Almont, CO Life Zones: Plains to subalpine Habitat: Moist areas Grows over 2ft with a stiff, erect stem, no leaves and a dense flower head. The single bract extending beyond the flowers looks like the stem. The outer parts are purplish with a green stripe. Flora of North America reference.
	Jointleaf Rush Juncus articulatus Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Jointed Rush Photo taken on: July 28, 2014 Location: Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM Life Zones: Plains to subalpine Habitat: Moist areas, wet sand Grows to 2ft with rolled green or tannish leaves. Horizontal joints can be felt in the leaves every ¼", and seen when dried. Flower heads are branched and spreading with a short bract and 3-10 flowers per head. Flowers are green to dark brown. Flora of North America reference.
	Drummond's Rush Juncus drummondii Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Photo taken on: July 14, 2012 Location: Paradise Divide, CO Life Zones: Subalpine and alpine Habitat: Wet areas, streamsides Grows to 16" with a few narrow leaves. The flowers grow on the side of the stem near the top with a long bract that extends beyond the flowers. The thick tepals are dark brown with thin transparent edges. Flora of North America reference.
	Mexican Rush Juncus mexicanus (J. arcticus var. mexicanus) Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Photo taken on: June 1, 2018 Location: Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM Life Zones: Plains to montane Habitat: Moist areas Grows to over 2ft tall with 1, sometimes 2, 6" leaf blades. Like Mountain Rush the single bract extends almost 3" past the flower head. Flower heads are loose with brown tepals. Flora of North America reference.
	Mertens' Rush Juncus mertensianus Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Slender-stemmed Rush Photo taken on: July 14, 2012 Location: Paradise Divide, CO Life Zones: Montane, subalpine and alpine Habitat: Moist to wet areas Grows to 12" in tufts with a solitary round cluster of flowers at the top of the stem. The flower head is dense and has a one leaf-like bract above. Flora of North America reference.
	Rocky Mountain Rush Juncus saximontanus (Juncus ensifolius var. montanus) Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Sword-leaved Rush Photo taken on: July 15, 2013 Location: Almont Triangle, GV, CO Life Zones: Plains to montane Habitat: Moist areas Grows in clumps to 18" tall with flat, sword-shaped leaves. Flowers are brown and grow in dense clusters at the top of the stem. Flora of North America reference.
	Torrey's Rush Juncus torreyi Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Photo taken on: August 3, 2012 Location: Rio Chama Recreation Area, NM Life Zones: Plains and foothills Habitat: Wet areas, streamsides Grows to 3ft with many dense round ½" to ¾" clusters of flowers. The pointed flowers are reddish, greenish or tan. The fruit is a pointed, reddish-brown capsule, at bottom left. Flora of North America reference.
	Northern White Rush Juncus triglumis var. albescens Family: Rush (Juncaceae) AKA: Three-hulled Rush, Three-flowered Rush, White Rush Photo taken on: July 19, 2011 Location: Poverty Gulch, GV, CO Life Zones: Subalpine and alpine Habitat: Moist rocky terrain Grows to only 6" with slender basal leaves. Flora of North America reference.

Grasses, Sedges & Rushes