emergent
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Wetland and Aquatic Plants of Oklahoma

Interactive Keys: Emergent

Grasslike
 
Rushes (Juncaceae)
     1. Flowers in dense heads
      2. Flowers in loose panicles

Note: The seeds are eaten by several species of birds.  The dense growth of rushes in many wetlands provides nesting cover for birds.

Flowers in dense heads

Whiteroot rush (Juncus brachycarpus Engelm.) 
Native perennial.
                                                                                                                       click thumbnails to enlarge

Juncus brachycarpus map                                    Juncus brachycarpus

NWI status: FACW

Needlepod rush (Juncus scirpoides Lam.) 
Native perennial.

Juncus scirpoides map                                 Juncus scirpoides

NWI status: FACW+

Torrey's rush (Juncus torreyi Coville) 
Native perennial.

Juncus torreyi map                                       Juncus torreyi

Note: The most common rush in western Oklahoma wetlands.

NWI status: FACW 

Roundhead rush (Juncus validus Coville) 
Native perennial.

Juncus validus map                                Juncus validus

NWI status: FACW+

Flowers in loose panicles

Tapertip rush (Juncus acuminatus Michx.) 
Native perennial.

                                                                                                                   Juncus acuminatus map                                Juncus acuminatus

NWI status: OBL 

Baltic rush (Juncus balticus Willd.) 
Native perennial.

Juncus balticus map                              Juncus balticus

Note: Baltic rush has been collected in only Cimarron County.  The stems grow densely from a rhizome.  Used by the Cheyenne for basketry.

NWI status: FACW 

Toad rush (Juncus bufonius L.) 
Native annual.

Juncus bufonius map                                   Juncus bufonius

NWI status: FACW 

Leathery rush (Juncus coriaceus Mackenzie) 
Native perennial.

Juncus coriaceus map                                    Juncus coriaceus

Note: Leathery rush is similar in appearance to common rush.  However, there are fewer  flowers (2 to 25)  in the leathery rush inflorescence and the capsules are rounded.

NWI status:  FACW

Slimpod rush (Juncus diffusissimus Buckl.) 
Native perennial.

Juncus diffusissimus map                                 Juncus diffusissimus

Note: The inflorescence of slimpod rush grows into a very open, distinctive panicle.  The capsules are elongated.  Common in eastern Oklahoma wetlands.

NWI status: FACW

Common rush (Juncus effusus L.) 
Native perennial.

Juncus effusus map                                       Juncus effusus

Note: Common rush is similar in appearance to leathery rush.  However, common rush has many flowers(25 to 100)  in the inflorescence and the capsules are ovoid.  Very common in eastern Oklahoma wetlands.  Forms dense stands in shallow water and along pond margins.  Used by the Cherokee as a medicine.  Several tribes used common rush as a fiber plant.

NWI status: FACW+ 

Grassleaf rush (Juncus marginatus Rostk.) 
Native perennial.

Juncus marginatus map                                       Juncus marginatus

NWI status: FACW 

Creeping rush (Juncus repens Michx.) 
Native perennial.

Juncus repens map                             Juncus repens

Note: A low growing species with limited occurrences in Oklahoma.  Forms dense mats with stems creeping along water surface.

NWI status: OBL

Last update: 2/27/04
Comments to : Bruce Hoagland

bhoagland@ou.edu

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