Leaves: apex generally not callous. Inflorescences paniculate or dichasial. Flowers in pairs, rarely in clusters of 3–4 or solitary. Seeds: micropylar end with tuft of hairs; caruncle barely visible or absent.

Distribution

Northern Hemisphere

Discussion

Species 20+ ca. 50 (6 in the flora).

Selected References

Hämet-Ahti, L. 1971. A synopsis of the species of Luzula, subgenus Anthelaea Grisebach (Juncaceae) indigenous in North America. Ann. Bot. Fenn. 8: 368--381.

Lower Taxa

Luzula divaricata, Luzula hitchcockii, Luzula luzuloides, Luzula parviflora, Luzula piperi, Luzula wahlenbergii

Key

1	Tepals whitish to pinkish	subsp. luzuloides
1	Tepals straw-colored to dark brown.	> 2
2	Apex of tepals long-acuminate, reflexed; inflorescence branches widely spreading to 90°, stiff	Luzula divaricata
2	Apex of tepals acute, not reflexed; inflorescence branches spreading less than 90°, lax.	> 3
3	Tepals 2.5–3.5 mm; capsule ± equaling tepal length, ovoid, distinct beak to 1 mm	Luzula hitchcockii
3	Tepals 2.5 mm or shorter; capsule shorter than 2.5 mm, never ovoid, distinct beak absent.	> 4
4	Culms commonly (20–)30–100 cm; margins of inflorescence bracts and bracteoles entire to lacerate	Luzula parviflora
4	Culms commonly less than 30 cm; margins of inflorescence bracts and bracteoles ciliate.	> 5
5	Proximal inflorescence bract to 1 cm; stigmas 2 times style length; seeds dark reddish brown	Luzula wahlenbergii
5	Proximal inflorescence bract 0.8–1.5 cm; stigmas 5 times style length; seeds light yellow-brown	Luzula piperi