Juncus inflexus
| Juncus inflexus | |
|---|---|
| File:Juncus glaucus Sturm6.jpg | |
| Botanical illustration | |
| File:Juncus inflexus (Grau-Simse) IMG 26459.JPG | |
| Inflorescences | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Juncaceae |
| Genus: | Juncus |
| Species: | J. inflexus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Juncus inflexus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
List
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_IMG_26459.JPG){kind=link}
Juncus inflexus, the hard rush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Juncaceae, native to Europe, Asia and Africa, and introduced in Sri Lanka, Java, Île Amsterdam and Île Saint-Paul, Victoria in Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and eastern North America.[2][3] It is a glycophyte (non-halophyte).[4]
Description
[edit | edit source]J. inflexus is a rhizomatous tufted perennial usually growing 0.5 – 1m tall. The stiff, glaucous stems are thin and wiry, measuring 1 – 2.5 mm in diameter. They are lined with 15 – 20 distinct vertical ridges and filled with interrupted spongy pith. Stomata are arranged along the stem in 5 – 10 rows.[5]
The basal sheaths are a shiny reddish black.[5]
It blooms from late spring until midsummer, producing loose clusters of very small reddish-brown flowers at the top of some stems. These later ripen into brown short-beaked seed capsules.
Habitat and ecology
[edit | edit source]Generally common in England and Wales, but rarer in Scotland. It grows in open wet places such as springs, marshes, wet pastures, and damp meadows as well as by rivers, ponds, and lakes. It prefers heavy base-rich or neutral soils consolidated by trampling.[6]
Appears to be tolerant of annual mowing and light to moderate grazing. It is unpalatable to cattle and eaten by rabbits probably only when grazing pressure is high.[6]
Subtaxa
[edit | edit source]The following subspecies are currently accepted:[2]
- Juncus inflexus subsp. brachytepalus (Trautv. ex V.I.Krecz. & Gontsch.) Novikov
- Juncus inflexus subsp. inflexus
Distinguished as follows:-[7]
| ssp. inflexus | ssp. brachytepalus | |
|---|---|---|
| Stem diameter (lower) | 1.5-3 mm | 5-10 mm |
| Capsule | 2.5-3.3 mm | to 4 mm |
| compared to perianth | c. equal | usually exceeds |
| Inflorescence | diffuse | dense |
| Cataphylls | dark | light-medium |
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Sp. Pl.: 326 (1753)
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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- ^ a b Poland J, Clement EJ. 2020. The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. John Poland, Southampton. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Richards PW, Clapham AR. 1941. Juncus inflexus L. (Juncus Glaucus Ehrh.). Journal of Ecology 29(2): 369-374.
- ^ Species Plantarum / Flora of the World / Part 8. Juncaceae 3: Juncus subg. Agathryon / compiled by Jan Kirschner
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