Austral Rush

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©John Tann CC BY 2.0, John Tann CC BY 2.0, John Tann CC BY 2.0, John Tann CC BY 2.0

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