Juncaceae
Rush Family
2 genera
63 species
20 subspecies and varieties
63 species
20 subspecies and varieties
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Juncus acuminatus – knotty leaf rush, sharp-fruited rush, tapered rush
Distribution: Mostly west of the Cascades, British Columbia south to California, east to southwest Idaho and Arizona.
Habitat: Ditches, lake margins, meadows and other wet places.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late May - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Mostly west of the Cascades, British Columbia south to California, east to southwest Idaho and Arizona.
Habitat: Ditches, lake margins, meadows and other wet places.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late May - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus alpinoarticulatus – alpine rush, northern rush
Distribution: In scattered location on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; scattered throughout North America from Alaska to Washington, east across Canada and central U.S. to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Wet meadows, pond and lake shores.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: In scattered location on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; scattered throughout North America from Alaska to Washington, east across Canada and central U.S. to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Wet meadows, pond and lake shores.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus anthelatus – giant path rush
Origin: Introduced from eastern North America
Growth Duration: Perennial
Origin: Introduced from eastern North America
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus articulatus – joint-leaved rush, jointed rush
Origin: Native
Origin: Native
• ssp. articulatus – jointed rush, jointleaf rush
Juncus balticus – Baltic rush
Distribution: Widely distributed throughout much of Washington; widely distributed throughout much of western and central North America, less widely distributed in eastern North America.
Habitat: Wet places, often where saline or alkaline.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Widely distributed throughout much of Washington; widely distributed throughout much of western and central North America, less widely distributed in eastern North America.
Habitat: Wet places, often where saline or alkaline.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. ater – Baltic rush, valley rush
Juncus bolanderi – Bolander's rush
Distribution: West of the Cascades, southern British Columbia south to coastal California.
Habitat: Marshes and river bottoms from tidelands to the lower mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late May - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: West of the Cascades, southern British Columbia south to coastal California.
Habitat: Marshes and river bottoms from tidelands to the lower mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late May - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus brachycarpus – short-fruit rush
Origin: Introduced; native to southeastern and midwestern United States
Origin: Introduced; native to southeastern and midwestern United States
Juncus bufonius
Origin: Native
Growth Duration: Annual
Origin: Native
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. bufonius – toad rush
• var. congestus – clustered toad rush
• var. occidentalis – western toad rush
Juncus bulbosus – bulbous rush, spreading rush
Distribution: Introduced at several locations in wsestern Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon, east across northern Canada to the Atlantic Coast; Europe.
Habitat: Sandy or peaty shores of streams and pools.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Introduced at several locations in wsestern Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon, east across northern Canada to the Atlantic Coast; Europe.
Habitat: Sandy or peaty shores of streams and pools.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus canadensis – Canadian rush
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; also in Oregon, otherwise widespread east of the Mississippi River.
Habitat: Brackish swamps, acid bogs, tidal flats and beaches.
Origin: Introduced from eastern North America
Flowers: June - July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; also in Oregon, otherwise widespread east of the Mississippi River.
Habitat: Brackish swamps, acid bogs, tidal flats and beaches.
Origin: Introduced from eastern North America
Flowers: June - July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus conglomeratus – compact rush
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to Oregon, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Ditches, wet pastures, shores, and railroad right of ways.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to Oregon, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Ditches, wet pastures, shores, and railroad right of ways.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus drummondii – Drummond's rush, threeflower rush
Distribution: Alaska south to California, east to the Rockies, Alberta to New Mexico.
Habitat: Alpine to subalpine meadows, streambanks, talus slopes and ridges.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Alaska south to California, east to the Rockies, Alberta to New Mexico.
Habitat: Alpine to subalpine meadows, streambanks, talus slopes and ridges.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus effusus
Distribution: Alaska to Baja California, east to Newfoundland and most of central and eastern United States.
Habitat: Moist areas, from coastal tideflats to mountain meadows and ridges.
Origin: Both native and introduced
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Alaska to Baja California, east to Newfoundland and most of central and eastern United States.
Habitat: Moist areas, from coastal tideflats to mountain meadows and ridges.
Origin: Both native and introduced
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. effusus – soft rush
• ssp. pacificus – common rush, Pacific rush
• ssp. solutus – eastern soft rush
Juncus ensifolius – dagger rush, daggerleaf rush
Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the mountainous areas of Washington; Alaska south to California, east to the Great Plains; introduced in eastern North America.
Habitat: Shores of ponds and streams, wet meadows, fens, seeps, and ditches from low to high elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the mountainous areas of Washington; Alaska south to California, east to the Great Plains; introduced in eastern North America.
Habitat: Shores of ponds and streams, wet meadows, fens, seeps, and ditches from low to high elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus falcatus – sickle-leaved rush
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late May - July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late May - July
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. sitchensis – Alaskan sickle leaved rush
Juncus filiformis – thread rush
Distribution: Alaska to northern Oregon, east in Canada to Newfoundland and south to Pennsylvania and Montana.
Habitat: Lake shores and coastal bogs to montane marshes and meadows; in Washington, from near sea level to about 5000 feet elevation.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Alaska to northern Oregon, east in Canada to Newfoundland and south to Pennsylvania and Montana.
Habitat: Lake shores and coastal bogs to montane marshes and meadows; in Washington, from near sea level to about 5000 feet elevation.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus gerardi – black rush, mud rush
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in counties along the Puget Sound and outer coast; British Columbia south to Oregon, east sporadically across the U.S. to the northern Atlantic coast of the U.S. and Canada; circumboreal.
Habitat: Coastal salt marshes.
Origin: Both native and introduced - occurring in eastern North America, Eurasia.
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in counties along the Puget Sound and outer coast; British Columbia south to Oregon, east sporadically across the U.S. to the northern Atlantic coast of the U.S. and Canada; circumboreal.
Habitat: Coastal salt marshes.
Origin: Both native and introduced - occurring in eastern North America, Eurasia.
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. gerardi – black grass, Gerard's rush, mud rush
Juncus hemiendytus
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: Annual
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: Annual
• var. hemiendytus – dwarf rush, Hermann's dwarf rush
Juncus interior – inland rush
Distribution: Alberta south to Colorado, east to Quebec and Tennesee; occasional in eastern Washington.
Habitat: Dry, upland sites in prairies, exposed sites in disturbed areas, ditches in sandy or clayey soil
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Alberta south to Colorado, east to Quebec and Tennesee; occasional in eastern Washington.
Habitat: Dry, upland sites in prairies, exposed sites in disturbed areas, ditches in sandy or clayey soil
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus kelloggii – Kellogg's dwarf rush
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Growth Duration: Annual
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Growth Duration: Annual
Juncus longistylis – long-styled rush
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus mertensianus – Mertens' rush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Wet places along streams and lakes, mid- to high elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Wet places along streams and lakes, mid- to high elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus nevadensis – Nevada rush
Distribution: Southern British Columbia to California, east to the Rockies, Montana to New Mexico.
Habitat: Wet plasces, margins of streams and lakes, from near sea level to lower elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Southern British Columbia to California, east to the Rockies, Montana to New Mexico.
Habitat: Wet plasces, margins of streams and lakes, from near sea level to lower elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
• var. inventus – dune rush
• var. nevadensis – Sierra rush
Juncus nodosus – knotted rish, tuberous rush
Distribution: East of the Cascades, British Columbia to California, east to Nova Scotia and Maine.
Habitat: Ditches, ponds and wet places.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: East of the Cascades, British Columbia to California, east to Nova Scotia and Maine.
Habitat: Ditches, ponds and wet places.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus occidentalis – western rush
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest and east in the Columbia River Gorge to Klickitat County in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California and Mexico.
Habitat: Wet prairies, shores, springs, vernal pools, and ditches.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest and east in the Columbia River Gorge to Klickitat County in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California and Mexico.
Habitat: Wet prairies, shores, springs, vernal pools, and ditches.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus orthophyllus – straight-leaved rush
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus oxymeris – pointed rush
Distribution: Southwest British Columbia to Caslifornia; in Washington, in the lowlands west of the Cascades.
Habitat: Wet meadows and lake shores.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Southwest British Columbia to Caslifornia; in Washington, in the lowlands west of the Cascades.
Habitat: Wet meadows and lake shores.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus parryi – Parry's rush
Distribution: British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Colorado; in the Olympics and Cascades of Washington
Habitat: Moist places, moderate to high elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Colorado; in the Olympics and Cascades of Washington
Habitat: Moist places, moderate to high elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus saximontanus – Rocky Mountain rush
Origin: Native
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Origin: Native
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus supiniformis – hair-leaved rush, spreading rush
Distribution: Alaska south along the coast west of the Cascades to Mendocino County, California.
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, ditches and rivers, often where submerged early in the season.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Alaska south along the coast west of the Cascades to Mendocino County, California.
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, ditches and rivers, often where submerged early in the season.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus tenuis – path rush, poverty rush, slender rush
Distribution: Alaska south to Mexico, east across southern Canada and most of the United States.
Habitat: Moist places.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Alaska south to Mexico, east across southern Canada and most of the United States.
Habitat: Moist places.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June - September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus torreyi – Torrey's rush
Distribution: British Columbia south, east of the Cascades, to California, east to Ontario and New York.
Habitat: Wet places, especially around lakes and along streams, form the lowlands to the lower mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: British Columbia south, east of the Cascades, to California, east to Ontario and New York.
Habitat: Wet places, especially around lakes and along streams, form the lowlands to the lower mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: Late June - August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Juncus uncialis – inch-high rush
Distribution: Oregon and California, occasional in estern Washington
Habitat: Margins of vernal pools and ponds.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Growth Duration: Annual
Distribution: Oregon and California, occasional in estern Washington
Habitat: Margins of vernal pools and ponds.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Growth Duration: Annual
Luzula arcuata – curved woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to south-central Washington, east to western Montana.
Habitat: Rocky or gravelly soil, usually on moraines or above timberline.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to south-central Washington, east to western Montana.
Habitat: Rocky or gravelly soil, usually on moraines or above timberline.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. unalaschcensis – curved woodrush
Luzula campestris – field woodrush
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to western Washington; also in New England.
Habitat: Lowland lawns or dry, disturbed ground.
Origin: Introduced
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to western Washington; also in New England.
Habitat: Lowland lawns or dry, disturbed ground.
Origin: Introduced
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. campestris – field woodrush
Luzula cascadensis – Cascades woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in south-central Washington; south-central Washington to California, east to western Montana.
Habitat: Wet or peaty montane meadows.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in south-central Washington; south-central Washington to California, east to western Montana.
Habitat: Wet or peaty montane meadows.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Luzula comosa – Pacific woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Coastal to montane openings, rocky slopes, forests and shores.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Coastal to montane openings, rocky slopes, forests and shores.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
• var. comosa – pale woodrush
• var. laxa – Pacific woodrush
Luzula forsteri – southern woodrush
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in lowland western Washington; lowland western Washington and Salem, OR.
Habitat: Low elevation disturbed sites including lawns, parks, and forest edge.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia and northern Africa
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in lowland western Washington; lowland western Washington and Salem, OR.
Habitat: Low elevation disturbed sites including lawns, parks, and forest edge.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia and northern Africa
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. forsteri – southern woodrush
Luzula hitchcockii – Hitchcock's woodrush, smooth woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Crater Lake and the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, east to Alberta, Montana, and northwestern Wyoming.
Habitat: Montane forests to alpine slopes, ridges and meadows.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Crater Lake and the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon, east to Alberta, Montana, and northwestern Wyoming.
Habitat: Montane forests to alpine slopes, ridges and meadows.
Origin: Native
Flowers: July-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Luzula macrantha – large-anthered woodrush, large-flowered woodrush, prairie woodrush
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, grasslands, and forest openings at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, grasslands, and forest openings at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Luzula multiflora – common woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to Alberta and western Montana; also in northeastern United States.
Habitat: Fields, meadows, open woods and clearings, at low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to Alberta and western Montana; also in northeastern United States.
Habitat: Fields, meadows, open woods and clearings, at low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: Perennial
Luzula parviflora – small-flowered woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, northern Great Plains, Great Lakes region, and northeastern North America.
Habitat: Moist to fairly dry areas, coastal rain forest to alpine slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, northern Great Plains, Great Lakes region, and northeastern North America.
Habitat: Moist to fairly dry areas, coastal rain forest to alpine slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Luzula piperi – Piper's woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to Alberta, Montana, and northwestern Wyoming.
Habitat: Moraines, rocky slopes, open forest, and subalpine to alpine meadows.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to Alberta, Montana, and northwestern Wyoming.
Habitat: Moraines, rocky slopes, open forest, and subalpine to alpine meadows.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Luzula spicata – spiked woodrush
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, east across northern Canada to northeastern North America; also in Eurasia.
Habitat: Subalpine to alpine slopes, moraines, and stream banks.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains, east across northern Canada to northeastern North America; also in Eurasia.
Habitat: Subalpine to alpine slopes, moraines, and stream banks.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: Perennial
• ssp. spicata – spiked woodrush
Luzula subsessilis – short-stalked wood-rush
Distribution: Ocurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Dunes, ledges, meadows, and open forest.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
Distribution: Ocurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; southwestern British Columbia to California.
Habitat: Dunes, ledges, meadows, and open forest.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: Perennial
