Click the number at the start of a key lead to highlight both that lead and its corresponding lead. Click again to show only the two highlighted leads. Click a third time to return to the full key with the selected leads still highlighted.

Key to Juncus, KEY E: Subkey in Juncus

Copy permalink to share | Check for keys that lead to this key

1 Mature capsules 2 mm or more longer than the perianth, 4.0-5.2 mm long
1 Mature capsules < 1.5 mm longer than the perianth, or subequal to it.
  2 Stamens 6.
    3 Proximal culm leaf overtopping inflorescence; culms well spaced along creeping rhizomes; plants often exceed 8 dm tall; [northeastern, south to DE, MD, disjuncts in ne. NC]
    3 Proximal culm leaf shorter than inflorescence; plants cespitose; plants < 8 dm tall; [collectively widespread].
      4 Mature capsules slightly shorter than to slightly longer than the perianth (< 0.5 mm longer); perianth 2.6-3.9 mm long; inflorescence 4-16 cm long; [widespread]
      4 Mature capsules exceeding the perianth by about 1 mm (> 0.5 mm longer); perianth 1.6-3.0 mm long; inflorescence 2-11 cm long; [northern or montane in our region].
        5 Capsule apices acute (rarely obtuse); inner tepals acute to acuminate; inflorescence branches widely ascending to spreading
        5 Capsule apices rounded or obtuse, mucronate; inner tepals acute to obtuse; inflorescence branches strictly ascending
          6 Tepals rounded, ca. half the length of the capsules; 6-10 flowers per glomerule; the inflorescence length similar to its width (or only slightly exceeding)
          6 Tepals (at least the outer 3) acute, ± same length as the capsules (or slightly shorter); 3-5 (-12) flowers per glomerule; the inflorescence length much exceeding its width
  2 Stamens 3.
             7 Mature capsules about 1/3 longer than perianth (roughly 1-1.5 mm longer)
             7 Mature capsules equaling or barely exceeding perianth.
               8 Heads 1-50; capsules 2.4-3.6 mm long
                 9 Perennial, capsules 2.8-3.6 mm long, tepals 2.6-3.6 mm long; [widespread in our area]
                 9 Annual, capsules 2.4-2.5 mm long, tepals 1.9-2.3 mm long; [endemic to the Altamaha Grit, Coastal Plain of GA]
               8 Heads 30-250; capsules 1.9-2.9 mm long.
                   10 Capsules deep chestnut brown; roots with terminal tubers; inner tepals usually > 2.4 mm long; [southeastern]
                   10 Capsules straw colored; roots without terminal tubers; inner tepals usually 1.7-2.3 mm long; [midwestern, east to w. Panhandle FL and se. TN]