Kingdom Plantae Family Juncaceae Scientific name Juncus xiphioides Rank Species | Order Poales Genus Juncus Higher classification Juncus | |
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Similar Juncus, Rushes, Juncus saximontanus, Juncus phaeocephalus, Juncus macrophyllus | ||
Juncus xiphioides is a species of rush known by the common name irisleaf rush.
It is native to the Southwestern United States, many areas of California, and in Baja California. It grows in wet areas in many habitat types.
Description
Juncus xiphioides is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing erect stems to a maximum height between about 40 and 80 centimeters. It has wide leaf blades for a rush, often exceeding one centimeter in width at the base. The few straw-colored leaves reach up to 40 centimeters in length.
The large inflorescence has many clusters of up to 70 flowers each. The flower has very narrow green, red, or yellow-brown, lance-shaped tepals and six stamens with very small anthers. The fruit is a brown oblong capsule.
Juncus xiphioides is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in native plant and water gardens, and natural landscaping projects.
