Juncaceae (Rush Family) "Rushes are round (and sedges have edges)" - in general, a good rule for differentiating these two grass-like families. Of the members of Juncaceae found here, all the stems are round-ish although some may have flat leaves. Flowers on rushes are concentrated in terminal inflorescences. Although they appear to be growing out of the side of the stem, the part of the "stem" above the inflorescence is actually one of the inflorescence bracts. Unlike grasses, close examination of Juncaceae flowers reveal distinct flower parts: 3 sepals, 3 petals, 2 to 6 stamens and a pistil with 3 slender styles. The mature fruit is often beaked or pointed, and contains numerous seeds in a single 3 section chamber. The leaves on Juncaceae are often little more than thin sheaths, sometimes not noticeable at all. Summer, when the they bloom, is usually the best time to actually identify rushes - at other times of the year they are frustratingly identical. Even then, it usually takes a hand lens and close examination of the flower parts and fruit characteristics to tell for sure. The ones featured on this page are the most distinct in their characteristics and habitats to be somewhat identifiable. Four of the more common rushes found on Montara Mountain are: Juncus balticus (Baltic Rush) Juncus effusus var. brunneus (Brown Bog Rush) Juncus patens (Spreading Rush - Blue Rush) Luzula comosa (Common Wood Rush)

Juncus balticus Baltic Rush Juncaceae (Rush Family) Flowers: Brown , inflorescence 4 to 6 cm (1.5 to 2.25 in.) long, flowers with petals and sepals open at maturity; perianth segments (corolla and calyx divisions) with a green midrib, individual flowers 4 to 5 mm long with 6 stamens and pronounced bright pink twisted stigmas . Blooms: May - July Leaves: None to speak of, altho a dark sheath with a short bristle is found at the base of the stem. Fruit/Seeds: 3 chambered fruit with sharp beak; numerous seeds. Location: Wet areas closer to coast. Status: Native - Common.

Juncus balticus 600x450 JPEG - 64K

Further description & Comment: Plants up to more than 100 cm tall (3.5 ft), growing in rowed clumps from common stems, nodes and roots. Stems are not twisted and cylindrical or somewhat flattened. J. balticus. is similar in appearance to J. effusus, but has larger, opened flowers, is a bit taller. and is has a wider range in our area. This is the most second-most common Juncus. found on Montara Mountain (see Juncus patens.), and certainly the most striking when in bloom, as shown in the image at left. 600x450 JPEG - 36K

Juncus effusus var. brunneus Brown Bog Rush Juncaceae (Rush Family) Flowers: Brown to tan, inflorescence less than 4 cm (1.5 in.) long but up to 4 cm wide, flowers stiff with petals and sepals upright at maturity; individual flowers no more than 3.5 mm long with 3 stamens. Blooms: May - July Leaves: None to speak of, altho a 4 - 15 cm reddish-brown sheath is found at the base of the stem. Fruit/Seeds: 3 chambered fruit with numerous seeds. Location: Boggy areas, edges of ponds & creeks, along seeps. Status: Native - Common.

Juncus effusus var. brunneus Growing next to a seasonal frog pond on the north slope of Green Valley. 600x450 JPEG - 136K

Further description & Comment: Plants up to 90 cm tall (3 ft), growing in clumps from common stems, nodes and roots. The lower bracts (what appears to be the part of the stem above the inflorescence) no more than one-third the length of the stem. J. effusus. is similar in appearance to J. patens, but does not have opened flowers, is a bit taller. has a greener coloring (in general), and is usually restricted to immediate wet areas. J. balticus. has larger flower (4 -5 mm), tends to grow a bit taller and in rows, not clumps. 600x450 JPEG - 28K

Juncus patens Spreading Rush (Blue Rush) Juncaceae (Rush Family) Flowers: Brown to tan and reddish, inflorescence less than 4 cm (1.5 in.) long but up to 6 cm wide, flowers stiff with petals and sepals partially open at maturity; individual flowers no more than 3.5 mm long with 6 stamens. Blooms: May - August. Leaves: None to speak of, altho a 2 - 10 cm dark brown sheath is found at the base of the stem. Fruit/Seeds: 3 chambered globular fruit, with a small beak; numerous seeds. Location: All moist areas up to 1000 ft. but not in boggy or wet areas; Common along trails. Status: Native - Common.

Juncus patens 600x450 JPEG - 56K

Further description & Comment: Stems less than 2 mm wide, less than 90 cm tall. This is the most common Juncus. found on Montara Mountain, and is easily recognizable by it's distinct blue-green coloring. It is usually found in small clumps along the trails. 600x450 JPEG - 32K

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