Forked Woodrush

The culms of Luzula divaricata are reddish colored.

Rhizomes thick. Culms densely cespitose, reddish, 6--30 cm x 2 mm. Leaves: basal leaves numerous, blade to 20 cm x 4--6 mm, sometimes longer than stem, apex long-pointed to 12 mm, mostly glabrous; cauline leaves 2--3. Inflorescences 5--15 cm, width 1/2 to equaling length; branches widely spreading to 90°, stiff, not drooping; proximal bract inconspicuous, less than 2 cm; bracts and bracteoles clear, margins slightly lacerate, often with a few cilia. Flowers solitary; tepals pale brown with reddish tint, 1.8--2.4 mm, apex reflexed, long-acuminate; outer whorl slightly longer than inner whorl; anthers ± equaling filaments; stigmas 3 times style length. Capsules deep reddish brown, shorter to slightly longer than tepals. Seeds light brown, 1.2 mm.

Calif., Idaho, Nev., Ore., Wash.

Flowering and fruiting summer.

Subalpine forest to alpine granitic slopes; 2100--3700m.

Luzula divaricata is a species of flowering plant in the rush family known by the common name forked woodrush. It is native to the California and Nevada in the United States.

Luzula divaricata grows in the subalpine and alpine climates of high mountain ranges. It is a perennial herb with a thin, reddish stem reaching about 30 centimeters in maximum height surrounded by many grasslike leaves. The inflorescence is a tangled array of branches tipped with small reddish-brown spikelike flowers.