FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Identification of Juncus to species requires examination of mature seeds and fruits. All Juncus have 6 sepal-like structures surrounding each fruit.
Description: Grass-like rush, forming substantial clumps. Upright, hollow, smooth, needle-like stems with seedheads emerging from side. Grows to 1.5 m tall.
Leaves: Non-septate leaves (no internal divisions) growing from scaly rhizomes and with sharp tips. Flowering stalks cylindrical and smooth.
Flowers/Fruit: Inflorescence is panicle of numerous small flowers on stalks, emerging from the side of the flowering stem. Flowers and fruits May to September.
Habit and Range: Open, sunny wet places such as freshwater marshes, lake shores, wet depressions including ditches, and interdune ponds. Found statewide.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Juncus effusus (common rush) can be confused with J. coriaceus (leathery rush) which has larger, rounder capsules.
Click here to view Juncus coriaceus.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
