Austral Rush
Juncus australis
Rhizomatous rush forming loose clumps. Hard-stemmed with bluish-grey ridges. Dull stems with spongy pith interrupted by irregular airholes and scales. Flowers clustered at ends of branches. Pale green flowers becoming brown as they dry.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Sedges, rushes |
| Distinctive Features | The leaves are reduced to reddish to dark brown loose sheaths, pale at the top, at the base of the stems. |
| Biology | Perennial. Not in the wettest areas along drainagelines, creeklines and rivers, and in grasslands and woodlands. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Oct-Feb |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Juncaceae |
| Genus | Juncus |
| Species | australis |
The seed of some Juncus species was possibly eaten as a food source by Aboriginal people, and the stems were used as fibre for string and basket-making, by Aboriginal people.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Very similar in appearance to J. amabalis and J. flavidus. It is also similr to J. gregiflorus but is in more open habitat.This species interbreeds with J. pallidus, J. pauciflorus, J. filiformis, J. bassianus, J. sarophorus, and J. subsecundus. |
| Native Status | Native |