FNA: Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora vs. Luzula subg. Luzula

Phenology

Flowering and fruiting spring–summer.

Habitat

Sparsely scattered in fields, meadows, open woods, ditches and clearings

Elevation

50–800 m (200–2600 ft)

Distribution

CT; DC; DE; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KY; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; NH; NJ; NY; OH; OR; PA; RI; SD; TN; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY; AB; BC; MB; NB; NF; NS; ON; PE; QC; SK; SPM; Eurasia [Introduced in North America]

[BONAP county map]

Temperate and arctic regions and tropical mountains

Discussion

Species ca. 50 (15 species in the flora).

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Key

1. Inflorescences dense, spikelike, though often interrupted, nodding	L. spicata
1. Inflorescences of distinct glomerules, not spikelike, sometimes lax but not nodding.	→ 2
2. Inflorescences of sessile glomerules only or with smaller glomerules on short branches.	→ 3
2. Inflorescences with central glomerule(s) sessile or nearly sessile, always with other pedunculate glomerules.	→ 8
3. Proximal inflorescence bract conspicuous, usually well-exceeding inflorescence.	→ 4
3. Proximal inflorescence bract inconspicuous.	→ 7
4. Seeds 1.3 mm, caruncle absent.	L. subcapitata
4. Seeds 0.8–1.5 mm, with caruncle.	→ 5
5. Seeds 0.8 mm, caruncle 0.2 mm	L. orestera
5. Seeds 0.9–1.5 mm, caruncle either barely visible or at least 0.3 mm.	→ 6
6. Capsules ovoid; caruncle barely visible.	L. groenlandica
6. Capsules spheric; caruncle 0.3-0.8 mm	L. comosa
7. Tepals shorter than capsule; bracteoles deep brown, dentate	L. arctica
7. Tepals and capsule about equal; bracteoles clear to deep brown, conspicuously fimbriate	L. confusa
8. Inflorescence branches straight.	→ 9
8. Inflorescence branches arching.	→ 14
9. Inflorescence branches mostly erect; glomerules mostly cylindric.	→ 10
9. Inflorescence branches divergent as much as 90°; glomerules not cylindric.	→ 12
10. Tepals pale or with brown central area at maturity; seeds 0.7–1 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.3 mm	L. pallidula
10. Tepals pale brown to chestnut brown to blackish at maturity; seeds 0.9–1.7 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.7 mm.	→ 11
11. Seeds 1.1–1.7 mm; caruncle 0.2–0.6 mm	L. multiflora
11. Seeds 0.9–1.3 mm; caruncle 0.5–0.7 mm	L. bulbosa
12. Leaves with callous apex; glomerules sessile to congested to spreading.	→ 13
12. Leaves without callous apex, glomerules on elongate peduncles	L. echinata
13. Stolons slender and short, conspicuous rhizomes present	L. campestris
13. Stolons or conspicuous rhizomes absent.	L. comosa
14. Inflorescence branches arching in all directions; basal leaf sheaths bluish green	L. subcongesta
14. Inflorescence branches arching in 1 direction; basal leaf sheaths variously colored.	→ 15
15. Basal leaf sheaths dull brown-gray to green; cauline leaves as large or larger than basal leaves	L. kjellmaniana
15. Basal leaf sheaths shining reddish to brown to purple; cauline leaves usually smaller than basal leaves.	→ 16
16. Basal and cauline leaves not reaching inflorescence	L. arcuata subsp. unalaschkensis
16. Basal and especially cauline leaves often reaching or exceeding inflorescence	L. confusa