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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Jointed Rush
Juncus articulates L.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Rush (Juncaceae)
Flowering: June-September
Field Marks: The distinguishing features of this rush are its terete, hollow, septate leaves, its inflorescence of spreading branches, and its pointed sepals and petals no more than 1/8 inch long.
Habitat: Along streams, around ponds, in marshes.
Habit: Perennial herb from a rather stout rhizome.
Stems: Upright, unbranched, up to 2 feet tall, smooth.
Leaves: Terete, hollow, septate, up to 6 inches long, up to 1/16 inch wide, smooth; ligule at tip of sheath up to 1/10 inch long.
Flowers: 3-10 in heads, with several heads in a branched inflorescence.
Sepals: 3, green, brown or purplish, free from each other, up to 1/8 inch long, pointed at the tip.
Petals: 3, green, brown or purplish, free from each other, up to 1/8 inch long, pointed at the tip.
Stamens: 6.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth.
Fruits: Capsules ovoid, more or less triangular, pointed at the tip, up to 1/6 inch long, longer than the sepals and petals, shiny, dark brown.
Notes: The seeds are eaten by waterfowl.

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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:25:00 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww54]