Luzula sylvatica

Luzula sylvatica, commonly known as greater wood-rush[3] or great wood-rush, is a perennial[4] flowering plant in the rush family Juncaceae.

Luzula sylvatica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Juncaceae
Genus: Luzula
Species:
L. sylvatica
Binomial name
Luzula sylvatica
(Huds.) Gaudin, 1762
Synonyms[2]
  • Juncoides sylvatica (Huds.) Druce
  • Juncus sylvaticus Huds.
  • Luzula haussknechtiana Freyn & Sint.

Description

Luzula sylvatica is the largest woodrush,[3][5] with stems 30–80 centimetres (12–31 in) high.[5] It forms clumps of bright green leaves which are glossy,[6] flat, linear,[7] about 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8 in) in length and 1 centimetre (0.39 in) wide;[3] its leaves remain green or at least greenish throughout winter.[3] The leaves can also help to differentiate the plant from similar-looking plants in the closely related genus Juncus, as scattered white hairs can be found along the leaf edges.[3] Its tepals are 3–3.5 millimetres (0.12–0.14 in), with flowers which grow in groups of 3 or 4.[3][5] From mid-spring to summer,[6] It produces flowers in open panicles[6] which are very small,[7] chestnut-brown in colour[3] and can be found in dense and lax clusters.[7] It is sometimes stoloniferous.[3]

Luzula sylvatica is both anemophilous and entomophilous, in that it can be pollinated by either wind or insect.[3] L. sylvatica's fruit is a 3-valved capsule containing three oblong seeds.[3] Each seed is indistinctly reticulate, often with a caruncle (a basal or apical appendage);[3] seeds tend to germinate close to their parent plant.[3]

Taxonomy and naming

With regard to the etymology of the binomial, Luzula could come from the Italian lucciola ("to shine, sparkle") or the Latin luzulae or luxulae, from lux ("light"), inspired by the way the plants sparkle when wet with dew;[8] whilst sylvatica comes from silva, Latin for forest.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Luzula sylvatica has a wide distribution, and is native to Europe (the European temperate element of flora [9]) and southwest Asia[10] - including the British Isles where populations are widespread and stable, apart from a decline in central and south east England.[9] There is one record from Washington state, United States.[3]

Usually growing in partial to full shade,[10] Luzula sylvatica tends to grow on acidic soils in damp habitats.[9] It can be found on stream banks and well-drained, open woodland,[3] as well as in open ground and rock ledges [5] and peaty heath moors.[6] Despite its preference for acidic soils, it can tolerate most soil pH levels.[6]

Ecology

The leaves of Luzula sylvatica are picked in winter by golden eagles to line their eyries.[5] The flowers and seeds are also the sole food source for the larvae of the Coleophora sylvaticella moth.[11]

Cultivation

Luzula sylvatica is commonly used in horticulture — its thick, patch-forming habit (which allows the plant to act as a weed suppressant),[12] hardiness,[4] as well as the ability to grow in shade and damp soils[4] being particular boons; it is commonly used for ground cover[12] and/or as an ornamental grass.[4]

The cultivar ‘Marginata’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[13][14]

References
  1. "Species Status, The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain" (PDF). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. p. 70. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  2. "Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaudin". GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  3. "Greater woodrush (Luzula sylvatica)". Devon wildlife species. Devon Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  4. "Luzula sylvatica". Gardener's World. BBC. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  5. "Luzula sylvatica". West Highland Flora. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  6. Davis Landscape Architecture. "Plant of the Week: Luzula sylvatica". LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE BLOG. WordPress.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  7. "RHS Plant Selector Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' (v)". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  8. "Luzula in Flora of North America". Flora of North America. eFloras.org. pp. 225–226. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  9. "Luzula sylvatica". Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  10. "Luzula sylvatica Greater woodrush". Hardy Plants for Waterwise Landscapes. Washington State University. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  11. Wall, Mike. "Hants Moths - 0580 Coleophora sylvaticella". Hants Moths. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  12. "Plant Profile for Luzula sylvatica - Greater Wood Rush Perennial". Perennials.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  13. "RHS Plantfinder - Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata'". Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  14. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 62. Retrieved 25 March 2018.


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