94,129
edits
Changes
From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to searchno edit summary
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Rush family
| image = Juncus_L.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = ''[[Juncus]]''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Poales]]
| familia = '''Juncaceae'''
| familia_authority = [[Antoine Laurent de Jussieu|Juss.]]
| type_genus = ''[[Juncus]]''
| type_genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
*''[[Andesia]]''
*''[[Distichia]]''
*''[[Juncus]]'' - Rush
*''[[Luzula]]'' - Woodrush
*''[[Marsippospermum]]''
*''[[Oxychloë]]''
*''[[Rostkovia]]''
}}
The '''Juncaceae''', or the '''Rush Family''', is a rather small [[monocotyledon|monocot]] [[flowering plant]] family. There are 8 [[genus|genera]] and about 400 [[species]]. Many of these slow-growing plants superficially resemble [[Poaceae|grasses]], though are [[herb]]s or [[Shrub|woody shrubs]], growing on infertile [[soil]]s. Some may be found in temperate to frigid climates or on tropical mountains. They grow on wet or damp soils, others on dry soils. A few are [[Annual plant|annuals]], but most are [[Perennial plant|perennials]].
The [[Leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]] and well-developed in a basal aggregation on an erect stem. They are alternate and tristichous (i.e. with 3 rows of leaves up the stem, with each row of leaves arising one-third of the way around the stem from the previous leaf). Only in the genus ''[[Distichia]]'' are the leaves distichous. The rushes of the genus ''[[Juncus]]'' have flat, hairless leaves or cylindrical leaves. The leaves of the wood-rushes of the genus ''[[Luzula]]'' are always flat and bear long white hairs.
The plants are [[hermaphroditic]] or, rarely, [[dioecious]]. The small and insignificant [[flower]]s are arranged in inflorescences of loose [[cyme]]s, but also in rather dense heads or [[corymb]]s at the top of the stem or at its side. Typical for this family are the [[tepal]]s (or perianth segments). There is no clear distinction between [[petal]]s and [[sepal]]s. They are usually arranged with two [[whorl]]s, each containing three thin, papery tepals. They are not brightly colored and their color can vary from greenish to whitish, brown, purple, black, or hyaline. There are three [[carpel|stigma]]s in the center of the flowers. As is characteristic of monocots, everything is a multiple of three.
The [[fruit]] is usually a non-fleshy, three-sectioned [[dehiscent]] [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] containing many seeds.
The dried [[pith]] of plants of this family was used<!--not sure when. Medieval?--> to make a type of [[candle]] known as a [[rushlight]].
The rush plant is called 'igusa' in Japanese and is used to weave the soft surface cover of tatami mats.
== External links ==
* [http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Junca1.html Information and pictures]
* [http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T342.HTM Pictures of species]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Rush family
| image = Juncus_L.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = ''[[Juncus]]''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Poales]]
| familia = '''Juncaceae'''
| familia_authority = [[Antoine Laurent de Jussieu|Juss.]]
| type_genus = ''[[Juncus]]''
| type_genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
*''[[Andesia]]''
*''[[Distichia]]''
*''[[Juncus]]'' - Rush
*''[[Luzula]]'' - Woodrush
*''[[Marsippospermum]]''
*''[[Oxychloë]]''
*''[[Rostkovia]]''
}}
The '''Juncaceae''', or the '''Rush Family''', is a rather small [[monocotyledon|monocot]] [[flowering plant]] family. There are 8 [[genus|genera]] and about 400 [[species]]. Many of these slow-growing plants superficially resemble [[Poaceae|grasses]], though are [[herb]]s or [[Shrub|woody shrubs]], growing on infertile [[soil]]s. Some may be found in temperate to frigid climates or on tropical mountains. They grow on wet or damp soils, others on dry soils. A few are [[Annual plant|annuals]], but most are [[Perennial plant|perennials]].
The [[Leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]] and well-developed in a basal aggregation on an erect stem. They are alternate and tristichous (i.e. with 3 rows of leaves up the stem, with each row of leaves arising one-third of the way around the stem from the previous leaf). Only in the genus ''[[Distichia]]'' are the leaves distichous. The rushes of the genus ''[[Juncus]]'' have flat, hairless leaves or cylindrical leaves. The leaves of the wood-rushes of the genus ''[[Luzula]]'' are always flat and bear long white hairs.
The plants are [[hermaphroditic]] or, rarely, [[dioecious]]. The small and insignificant [[flower]]s are arranged in inflorescences of loose [[cyme]]s, but also in rather dense heads or [[corymb]]s at the top of the stem or at its side. Typical for this family are the [[tepal]]s (or perianth segments). There is no clear distinction between [[petal]]s and [[sepal]]s. They are usually arranged with two [[whorl]]s, each containing three thin, papery tepals. They are not brightly colored and their color can vary from greenish to whitish, brown, purple, black, or hyaline. There are three [[carpel|stigma]]s in the center of the flowers. As is characteristic of monocots, everything is a multiple of three.
The [[fruit]] is usually a non-fleshy, three-sectioned [[dehiscent]] [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] containing many seeds.
The dried [[pith]] of plants of this family was used<!--not sure when. Medieval?--> to make a type of [[candle]] known as a [[rushlight]].
The rush plant is called 'igusa' in Japanese and is used to weave the soft surface cover of tatami mats.
== External links ==
* [http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Junca1.html Information and pictures]
* [http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T342.HTM Pictures of species]
