Wood rush

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Wood rush infloresence

Wood rush

Wood rush inflorescence

Morphology

Culm

Erect, 1-5 per plant.

Leaves

Few, flat, linear-lanceolate, grass-like; basal leaves 2 to 10 inches long, 1/12 to 1/4 inch wide; stem leaves 2-4, 1 to 4 inches long, to 1/4 inch wide; tips pointed; margins sparsely to densely long-hairy, especially near throat.

Inflorescence

Clusters, 3-20, head-like to often short-cylindric, 6-20-flowered, terminating branches; branches simple, erect or ascending; bracts 1-3, leaf-like, at base of each branch.

Flower

Perianths deep brown; bracts at bases of perianths 1-2, small, triangular, scarcely if at all projecting beyond flowers; perianth segments 6, shiny, similar in shape and color, not always equal length; centers chestnut; margins and tips transparent; stamens 6.

Fruit

Capsule, egg-shaped, lustrous, straw-colored to dark brown, usually exceeding perianth; seeds 3, elliptic, dark brown, with oily appendages.

Ecology

Habitat

Woods, thickets and clearings; on slopes, upland ridges, or in low valleys; dry acid soils; chert, granite or sandstone.

Distribution

South-east 1/4 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

The Iroquios would use wood rush in a decoction that was taken to enhance one's strength when punishing someone "bewitched".

Additional Notes