Introduction

Sedge Master

Sedge & Rush Key

Juncus effusus

Juncus marginatus

Juncus megacephalus

Juncus polycephalus

Juncus scirpoides

 

 Juncaceae

Rush Family (Juncaceae)

Juncus

Juncaceae resemble grasses and sedges but differ from both by having a 6-parted perianth (perianth = floral organs where petals and sepals are not distinguished).  The fruit in Juncus opens along three lines (rather than not opening at all as in grasses and sedges), and contains multiple seeds rather than only one.  In the illustration below, note the 6 tepals at "d" and the 3-parted fruit at and f.

                                       

The treatment of Juncaceae in Flora of North America is useful:

Juncaceae in FNA

On our web site Juncus is keyed with the Sedges and again below:

This Rush is indigenous to Broward Co.

                                            

1. Leaf blades absent...Juncus effusus (resembles a Scirpus, the spikelets borne apparently laterally on the culm)

1. Leaf blades present...2

2. Leaf blades not septate... Juncus marginatus

2. Leaf blades septate...3

3. Flowering heads globose... 4

3. Flowering heads irregularly shaped, lobed and lumpy...Juncus scirpoides

4. Flowering heads usually > 20 in number; leaf blades flattened at the base...Juncus polycephalus (a generally more northern species occurring in our area)

4. Flowering heads usually < 20; leaf blades terete at the base...Juncus megacephalus