Juncus capillaceus
{{Short description|Species of plant (Juncaceae)}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Juncus capillaceus imported from iNaturalist photo 15415803 on 28 March 2020.jpg
| genus = Juncus
| species = capillaceus
| authority = Lam.
| synonyms = *Juncus capillaceus var. montevidensis Buchenau
- Juncus tenuifolius Steud.
| synonyms_ref = {{GBIF |id= 2701164|taxon= Juncus capillaceus |accessdate=6 September 2022}}
}}
Juncus capillaceus is a rush species native to South America, but has been introduced to other parts of the world.
Description
This tufted perennial grows to be {{Convert|30|cm|ft|abbr=on}} tall.{{Cite book |last1=Manning |first1=John |url=https://www.sanbi.org/sites/default/files/documents/documents/strelitzia-29-2012.pdf |title=Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora |last2=Goldblatt |first2=Peter |date=2012 |publisher=South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI |isbn=978-1-919976-74-7 |location=Pretoria |oclc=852384288}} Woody roots grow from a horizontal rhizome and are densely covered in root hairs. The shoots grow close to each other and are fibrous at the base. Between one and three long, slender and cylindrical ribbed leaves grow from each shoot. These extend past the stems and the small red to brown flowers, which are borne in pseudolateral spikes. The inflorescences look like a continuation of the stem. Two to ten flowers occur on each inflorescence. The seeds are brown and round.
Distribution
This species is native to South America. It is most common in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.{{Cite journal |last=BALSLEV |first=HENRIK |date=2018-11-16 |title=Two new species of Juncus (Juncaceae) from South America |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.376.2.3 |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=376 |issue=2 |pages=97 |doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.376.2.3 |issn=1179-3163|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite web |last=POWO |title=Juncus capillaceus Lam. |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:442788-1 |access-date=6 September 2022 |website=Plants of the World Online}} It has also been introduced in Australia, South Africa and Spain. In South Africa, it is known from disturbed areas in and around Cape Town.e-Flora of South Africa. v1.36. 2022. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108183919/https://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36 |date=2023-01-08 }} These include sites at Oranjezicht, Rhodes Memorial and Newlands.