Short-fruited Rush (Juncus brachycarpus)
- Family: Rush (Juncaceae)
- Flowering: May-September.
- Field Marks: This rush differs from all other rushes by its cylindrical leaves, rounded flower heads, and capsules much shorter than the sepals and petals.
- Habitat: Wet meadows, wet prairies, roadside ditches.
- Habit: Perennial herb with thickened rootstocks.
- Stems: Erect, smooth, up to 3 feet tall.
- Leaves: Elongate, cylindrical, with conspicuous cross-markings, smooth, up to 6 inches long.
- Flowers: Borne in 1-20 spherical heads; each head up to 1/2 inch in diameter.
- Sepals: 3, green, very slender and pointed at the tip.
- Petals: 3, green, very slender and pointed at the tip.
- Stamens: 3.
- Pistils: Ovary superior.
- Fruits: Capsules oblongoid, much shorter than the sepals and petals; seeds with a network pattern.
- Notes: The seeds are eaten by waterfowl.
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