1. Juncus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 325. 1753; Gen. Pl. ed. 5; 152, 1754.
Rush, jonc [classical name for the genus]
Ralph E. Brooks*;Steven E. Clemants*;
Herbs, perennial or rarely annual, rhizomatous or cespitose. Culms round or flattened in cross section. Cataphylls often present at culm base. Leaves: sheaths open; blade flat, channeled, ensiform or terete, sometimes septate, margins involute. Inflorescences terminal or pseudoaxillary, monochasia or dichasia, usually with monochasial branches, cymes or 1--many heads in racemes or panicles; bracteoles 2 or absent. Flowers: tepals (4--)6 in 2 whorls; stamens (2--)3--6. Capsules 1-locular or 3-locular, septicidal. Seeds many, ellipsoid to ovoid, sometimes tailed.
Species ca. 300 (95 in the flora): worldwide except Antarctica.
SELECTED REFERENCES
Engelmann, G. 1866--1868. Revision of the North American species of the genus Juncus, with a description of new or imperfectly known species. Trans. Acad. Sci. St. Louis. 2(2, 3): 424--498. Hermann, F. J. 1975. Manual of the Rushes (Juncus spp.) of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Basin. Fort Collins, Colo. [U.S.D.A. Forest Serv. , Gen. Techn. Rep. RM-18.] *SEC authored Juncus Linnaeus subg. Ensifolia and subg. Septati. All other subgenera were written by REB.