This rush is a perennial found in high alpine meadows. Often called smooth woodrush, it has wider leaves than its cousins. It grows in tufts of less than 30cm in height. The leaves turn red in the short summer growing season.

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The woodrush is from the family Lazulae since “Gramen Lazulae” means “grass of light.” When the grasses are covered in dew, they seem to shine.

These samples were spotted in the high western meadows of Joss Peak in the Monashees in July.

<a href=”https://kamloopstrails.net/wp-content/uploads/Revelstoke-133r.jpg”><img class=”aligncenter wp-image-10652 size-large” src=”https://kamloopstrails.net/wp-content/uploads/Revelstoke-133r-606×640.jpg” alt=”Revelstoke 133r” width=”606″ height=”640″ /></a>The plant grows in locations with late-season snowpacks and may grown into thick colonies, discouraging other competitors. Grizzly bears feed on the rushes.

The red leaves stand out in the lush green meadows in July shortly after snow melt. The first frosts arrive in late August to wither the plants again for another year.

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