Juncus bufonius
{{Short description|Species of grass}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Juncus bufonius.jpeg
|genus = Juncus
|species = bufonius
|authority = L.
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Juncus bufonius, known commonly as toad rush, is a widespread flowering plant species complex in the rush family Juncaceae.[https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?316713 GRIN-Global Web v 1.9.4.2: Taxonomy of Juncus bufonius][http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=JUBU USDA: Juncus bufonius][https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=29618 Jepson: Juncus bufonius]
Distribution
Its native range is circumpolar throughout tropical, subtropical, subarctic, and temperate climate areas of the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200027401 Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of North America][http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200027401 Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of China][http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200027401 Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of Pakistan][http://www.alocasia.com.au/qld_saltmarsh_plants/herbarium/grasses-rushes-and-sedge-plants/toad-rush Online Field Guide to Common Saltmarsh Plants of Queensland]
[http://www.hear.org/pier/species/juncus_bufonius.htm PIER Profile: Juncus bufonius]
It is also widely distributed as an introduced species in suitable habitats worldwide. It grows in moist and muddy places, often in wetlands and riparian areas.[http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius Calflora: Juncus bufonius]
In habitats where it is not native and has naturalized it may be considered a weed. The relationship of North America plants to the Eurasian Juncus ranarius is weakly delineated.
Description
Juncus bufonius is an annual monocot that is quite variable in appearance. It is generally a green clumping grasslike rush, with many thin stems wrapped with few threadlike leaves.
The flowers are borne in inflorescences and also in the joint where the inflorescence branches off of the stem. It is a grassy flower folded within tough bracts and sepals. The blooming period is March to May in the Northern Hemisphere and September to November in the Southern Hemisphere.
=Varieties=
Varieties include:
- Juncus bufonius var. bufonius — North America.[http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius+var.+bufonius Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. bufonius]
- Juncus bufonius var. congestus — North America.[http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius+var.+congestus Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. congestus]
- Juncus bufonius var. occidentalis — North America.[http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius+var.+occidentalis Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. occidentalis]
- Juncus bufonius var. rechingeri — South Asia.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius Calflora Database: Juncus bufonius (Toad rush)]
- [https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=29618 Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Juncus bufonius]
- {{CalPhotos|Juncus|bufonius}}
{{Commons category|position=left|Juncus bufonius}}
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Category:Flora of Northern America
Category:Flora of Southern America
Category:Flora of the subantarctic islands
Category:Plants described in 1753
Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
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