Field wood-rush (Luzula campestris, J. B. P. A. M. de Lamarck & A. P. de Candolle, Fl. franç. ed. 3, 3:161. 1805)

Family: Juncaceae

Author: DC.

Bibliography: J. B. P. A. M. de Lamarck & A. P. de Candolle, Fl. franç. ed. 3, 3:161. 1805

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Luzula

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to NW. Africa

Description

Field wood-rush, scientifically named Luzula campestris, is a perennial plant belonging to the Juncaceae family. This species was first described by A.P. de Candolle in the third edition of “Flore française,” a significant work authored by J.B.P.A.M. de Lamarck and A.P. de Candolle in 1805.

Native primarily to Europe, Luzula campestris has a wide distribution that extends to the northwestern regions of Africa. This resilient plant typically inhabits grasslands, meadows, and open woodlands, thriving in both acidic and base-rich soils.

Field wood-rush is easily identified by its small clumps of narrow, grassy leaves that are often covered in fine hairs, giving them a slightly fuzzy appearance. In spring, it produces delicate, tufted inflorescences that are modest yet conspicuous against the verdant backdrop of its foliage. The flowering heads feature a cluster of small, dark brown or purplish flowers, each set upon slender stems.

Renowned for its hardiness, Luzula campestris adapts well to various conditions, making it a common sight in its native habitat. This adaptability also contributes to its role in local ecosystems, where it provides food and shelter for various invertebrates.

In summary, Luzula campestris or Field wood-rush is a plant with a broad geographic range, notable for its modest yet distinctive appearance and its valuable ecological role. Originating from areas across Europe to northwest Africa, it serves as a testament to the diverse and resilient nature of the Juncaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: feld-hainsimse, gemeine hainsimse, gewöhnliche hainsimse, hasenbrot
Eng: field wood-rush, field woodrush, common woodrush, european woodrush
Dan: mark-frytle
Nld: gewone veldbies
Fin: ketopiippo
Swe: ketopiippo, knippfryle, knippefryle
Nor: luse-græs, marke-frytle
Fra: luzule champêtre, luzule des champs
Nob: markfrytle
Nno: markfrytle
Cym: brwynen flewog y maes, brwynen y maes, coedfrwynen y maes, gwellfrwynen, gwellt frwynen, gwelltfrwyn y caeau, mifyw, milfyw, ysgubwr simnai
En: Field wood-rush, Field woodrush, European woodrush, Common woodrush, Blackcaps, Sweep’s Brush
Ca: Lúzula campestre
Cs: Bika ladní
Da: Mark-frytle
Nl: Gewone veldbies
Fi: Ketopiippo
Fr: Luzule champêtre, Luzule des champs
De: Hasenbrot, Feld-Hainsimse, Gemeine Hainsimse, Gewöhnliche Hainsimse
It: Erba lucciola comune
No: Luse-græs, Marke-frytle
Nb: Markfrytle
Nn: Markfrytle
Pt-br: Junco-do-campo
Sk: Chlpaňa poľná
Sv: Knippfryle, Ketopiippo, Knippefryle
Cy: Brwynen Flewog y Maes, Brwynen y Maes, Coedfrwynen y Maes, Gwellfrwynen, Gwellt Frwynen, Gwelltfrwyn y Caeau, Mifyw, Milfyw, Ysgubwr Simnai

Synonyms

• Luzula campestris var. pratensis ((Rchb.) Blytt)
• Luzula campestris f. pratensis (Rchb.)
• Juncoides campestris var. vulgaris (E.Sheld.)
• Luzula campestris subsp. vulgaris (P.Fourn.)
• Luzula vulgaris (Buchenau)
• Luzula campestris var. praecox ((Rchb.) Blytt)
• Luzula campestris var. genuina (Asch.)
• Juncus campestris (L.)
• Luzula campestris f. praecox (Rchb.)
• Juncoides campestris ((L.) Kuntze)
• Cyperella campestris ((L.) MacMill.)
• Luzula campestris f. vulgaris (I.Grint.)
• Gymnodes campestris ((L.) Fourr.)
• Luzula subpilosa (V.I.Krecz. & Gontsch.)
• Luzula campestris var. vulgaris (Gaudin)
• Luciola campestris ((L.) Sm.)
• Luzula campestris var. parvula (Merino)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Azores (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Kerguelen (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by jvanbuul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2022 by jh51 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Ail Fla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Ail Fla (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 3, 2022 by Paweł W (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2021 by David Faulkner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Samuel Feješ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Eiris (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2018 by Bernard Evrad (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Mathilde DUVERGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 26, 2019 by L H (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2021 by linaire (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Jacques Le Cunff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 21, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 1880 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2700828)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:443746-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Luzula campestris (L.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 3