Inflorescence lateral with 5 to 50 flowers, from a stem-like bract; 6 brownish-green to brown perianth parts, 3-6mm., 6 stamens with short filaments, yellow-green anthers; three exserted reddish stigmas in the flower center. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

Baltic Rush

Juncus balticus ssp. ater
(Juncus arcticus var. balticus)

An uncommon 8-36 in. perennial, growing in lines or loose clusters from long rhizomes, along streams and moist meadows; Santa Ana Canyon., San Joaquin Hills, Lomas de Santiago, and southern Santa Ana Mountains (Roberts).  No leaf blade extending from the basal sheath, otherwise very similar to J. mexicanus (formerly J. arcticus var. mexicanus) which is also found in San Joaquin Hills and mountain foothills.  This species has worldwide distribution.

Back to Juncaceae of Orange County, California
Back to Monocots of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California

Stem smooth, dark green, cylindric, 1-6 mm. wide. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise
San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

Hwy 74 at Long Cyn, Rd., 4-21-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.
Hwy 74 at Long Cyn, Rd., 4-21-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Hwy 74 at Long Cyn, Rd., 4-21-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.
With Elymus triticoides, Chiquita Creek, adj. Tesoro High School, 09-05-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.