With regards to the etymology of the binomial, Luzula could come from the Italian:wikt:lucciola|lucciola or the Latin:wikt:luzulae|luzulae or :wikt:luxulae|luxulae, from :wikt:lux#Latin|lux, inspired by the way the plants sparkle when wet with dew; whilst sylvatica comes from :wikt:silva#Latin|silva, Latin for forest.
Description
Luzula sylvatica is the largest woodrush, with stems high. It forms clumps of bright green leaves which are glossy, flat, linear, about in length and wide; its leaves remain green or at least greenish throughout winter. The leaves can also help to differentiate the plant from similar-looking plants in the closely related genus Juncus, as scatteredwhite hairs can be found along the leaf edges. Its tepals are, with flowers which grow in groups of 3 or 4. From mid-spring to summer, L. sylvatica produces flowers in open panicles which are very small, chestnut-brown in colour and can be found in dense and lax clusters. L. sylvatica is sometimes stoloniferous. Luzula sylvatica is both anemophilous and entomophilous, in that it can be pollinated by either wind or insect. L. sylvatica's fruit is a 3-valved capsule containing three oblongseeds. Each seed is indistinctly :wikt:reticulate|reticulate, often with a :wikt:caruncle|caruncle ; seeds tend to germinate close to their parent plant.
Luzula sylvatica has a wide distribution, and is native to Europe and southwest Asia - including the British Isles where L. sylvatica populations are widespread stable, apart from a decline in central and south eastEngland. There is one record of L. sylvatica from Washington state, United States. Usually growing in partial to full shade, Luzula sylvatica tends to grow on acidic soils in damp habitats. L. sylvatica can be found on stream banks and well-drained, open woodland, as well as in open ground and rock ledges and peaty heath moors. Despite its preference for acidic soils, it can tolerate most soil pH levels.
Ecology
The leaves of Luzula sylvatica are picked in winter by golden eagles to line their eyries. The flowers and seeds of L. sylvatica are also the solefood source for the larvae of the Coleophora sylvaticella moth.
Uses
Luzula sylvatica is commonly used in horticulture — its thick, patch-forming habit, hardiness, as well as the ability to grow in shade and damp soils being particular boons; L. sylvatica is commonly used for ground cover and/or as an ornamental grass. The cultivar ‘Marginata’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
