Luzula sp. (Finland, Lammi, Untulanharju, 1996). – Image: Harri Harmaja (scanned from dried specimen). – This plant differs from the common L. multiflora (Ehrh.) Lej. ssp. multiflora (Juncaceae): (i) the leaf margin is hardly papillose, (ii) the inflorescence is very reduced, (iii) the perianth segments are long acuminate, (iv) the anthers are apparently shorter, and (v) the anthers possess distinct apical appendages. This plant, occurring very scantily, is at anthesis in the latter half of August. It was found in a curious ecological niche: slightly moist rich woods at the bottom of an extensive, deep kettle hole in the famous esker where cold air is emitted from the inside of the esker, blowing from between the stones of a boulder bed! Accompanying species include Bistorta vivipara, Carex brunnescens, Calamagrostis purpurea and Poa cf. alpigena. Some human influence is observable in the site. I have found apparently this same Luzula, though with less reduced inflorescences, also in Lohja.
Created August 30, 2004.