About Juncus occidentalis Wiegand
Juncus occidentalis Wiegand, a species of rush, is commonly known as western rush. It is native to the western United States, where it grows in wet areas across many habitat types. This is a clumping perennial herb that produces thin, stiff stems that reach a maximum height of 30 to 60 centimeters. Fine, wispy leaves grow from the base of the stem, and may grow up to half the length of the stem. Its inflorescence holds loose clusters of individual flowers, and typically features one long, leaf-like bract that extends well past the flowers. Each flower has green-striped brownish to reddish tepals that measure several millimeters long, plus six stamens with small anthers. Its fruit is a brown capsule that develops while remaining enclosed within the tepals.
