About Juncus mertensianus Bong.
Juncus mertensianus Bong. is a species of rush commonly called Mertens' rush or Alaska rush. It is native to a large portion of western North America, ranging from Alaska through Saskatchewan to New Mexico. In this region, it grows in wet mountainous habitats including riverbanks and alpine meadows. It is a clumping perennial herb that grows from a vertical rhizome. It has smooth, flat stems that reach a maximum height of around 40 centimeters. It produces a small number of leaves that grow both at the plant base and along the stems. The inflorescence typically consists of a single cluster holding many flowers. Each flower has shiny dark brown to black tepals that measure 3 to 4 millimeters long, six stamens with yellowish anthers, and long reddish stigmas, as shown in the image at the left. The fruit this plant produces is a dark, oblong capsule, as seen in the image at the right.
