Rushes - Biology Of Rushes, Rushes In North America, Rushes In Ecosystems, Economically Important Rushes
species family spp juncus
Rushes are monocotyledonous plants in the genus Juncus. Rushes make up most of the species in the family Juncaceae. There are about 400 species in the rush family, distributed among eight or nine genera. The most species-rich groups are the rushes (Juncus spp.) with 225 species, and the wood-rushes (Luzula spp.) with 80 species.
Species in the rush family occur worldwide, but they are particularly abundant in moist and wet habitats of cool-temperate, boreal, arctic, and alpine zones, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Rushes are grass- and sedge-like in their superficial morphology, but they differ from plants in these
Spike rushes. JLM Visuals. Reproduced by permission.
families (Poaceae and Cyperaceae, respectively) in important respects. Most species of rushes are herbaceous perennial plants, although a few have an annual life cycle. Many species of rushes typically grow erect, but a few grow close t…
Rushes are not of much direct economic benefit to humans. The Japanese mat rush or soft rush (Juncus effusus) and the wicker rush (J. squarrosus) are used for weaving and making wicker chair-bottoms. Rushes are rarely cultivated for these purposes. The raw materials are usually collected from habitats that are being managed for other purposes or from natural wetlands. Rushes are sometimes abundant…
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