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Northeast Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Baltic Rush
Juncus balticus Willd.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Rush (Juncaceae)
Flowering: May-September
Field Marks: The distinguishing features of this rush are the lateral inflorescence, the absence of leaves, and the absence of longitudinal furrows on the stems.
Habitat: Brackish or freshwater meadows and shores.
Habit: Perennial herb from extensive forking rhizomes.
Stems: Upright, smooth, slender, terete, not furrowed, up to 3 feet tall.
Leaves: Reduced to sheaths at the base of the stems, the sheaths up to 5 inches long.
Flowers: Many borne in clusters from the side of the stem, the stem appearing to continue beyond the inflorescence.
Sepals: 3, chestnut-brown, lanceolate, free from each other, up to 1/4 inch long.
Petals: 3, chestnut-brown, lanceolate, free from each other, up to 1/4 inch long.
Stamens: 6.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth.
Fruits: Capsules ovoid to lanceoloid, triangular, short-pointed at the tip, about as long as or slightly longer than the sepals and petals.
Notes: The seeds are eaten by waterfowl. Some recent authors refer to this species as J. arcticus.

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Page Last Modified: Thursday, 03-Aug-2006 11:39:25 EDT
Menlo Park, CA [caww54]