Common rush
Juncus usitatus, Fam. Juncaceae
Shortly rhizomatous perennial, densely tufted rush.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Sedges, Rushes and allies |
| Family: | Juncaceae |
| Leaf: | Culms terete, 40-110cm long, 0.5-1.9 (rarely to 2.3) mm in diameter, soft, green, 20 to 40 culm striations, pith interrupted or occasionally continuous. Cataphylls 6-18cm long, abaxially golden brown to red brown at base, adaxially silvery to golden brown. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Brown |
| Flower description: | Inflorescence pseudolateral, diffuse, 2-7cm long. Numerous, solitary flowers, lowest involucral bract 10-28cm long, longer than inflorescence. Tepals straw brown, sometimes with broad hyaline margins, outer tepals 1.3-2 (rarely to 2.2) mm long, longer than or equalling inner tepals. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Capsule longer than outer tepals, ellipsoid, obtuse, not or scarcely apiculate, golden brown. |
| Habitat: | Wetland. |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria. |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia. |
| Notes: | Wetland indicator species. |
| Information sources: | Department of Environment, Land and Water (2022) Species profile - Juncus usitatus., PlantNET (2022) Juncus usitatus L.A.S.Johnson. FloraOnline. |
