Juncus bufonius explained

Juncus bufonius, known commonly as toad rush, is a widespread flowering plant species complex in the rush family Juncaceae.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Distribution

Its native range is circumpolar throughout tropical, subtropical, subarctic, and temperate climate areas of the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.^{[1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]} It is also widely distributed as an introduced species in suitable habitats worldwide. It grows in moist and muddy places, often in wetlands and riparian areas.^[9]

In habitats where it is not native and has naturalized it may be considered a weed. The relationship of North America plants to the Eurasian Juncus ranarius is weakly delineated.^[3]

Description

Juncus bufonius is an annual monocot that is quite variable in appearance. It is generally a green clumping grasslike rush, with many thin stems wrapped with few threadlike leaves.^[3]

The flowers are borne in inflorescences and also in the joint where the inflorescence branches off of the stem. It is a grassy flower folded within tough bracts and sepals.^[3] The blooming period is March through May.^[9]

Varieties

Varieties include:^[9]

• Juncus bufonius var. bufonius — North America.^[10]
• Juncus bufonius var. congestus — North America.^[11]
• Juncus bufonius var. occidentalis — North America.^[12]
• Juncus bufonius var. rechingeri — South Asia.^[6]

External links

• Calflora Database: Juncus bufonius (Toad rush)
• Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Juncus bufonius

Notes and References

1. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?316713 GRIN-Global Web v 1.9.4.2: Taxonomy of Juncus bufonius
2. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=JUBU USDA: Juncus bufonius
3. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=29618 Jepson: Juncus bufonius
4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200027401 Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of North America
5. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200027401 Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of China
6. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200027401 Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of Pakistan
7. http://www.alocasia.com.au/qld_saltmarsh_plants/herbarium/grasses-rushes-and-sedge-plants/toad-rush Online Field Guide to Common Saltmarsh Plants of Queensland
8. http://www.hear.org/pier/species/juncus_bufonius.htm PIER Profile: Juncus bufonius
9. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius Calflora: Juncus bufonius
10. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius+var.+bufonius Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. bufonius
11. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius+var.+congestus Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. congestus
12. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Juncus+bufonius+var.+occidentalis Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. occidentalis