rush presentation
TRANSCRIPT
RushesOf Ontario
What is a Rush? Any of several flowering plants
distinguished by cylindrical stalks or hollow, stem-like leaves.
The rush family (Juncaceae) includes Juncus, the common rushes, and Luzula, the woodrushes.
They are found in temperate regions and particularly in moist or shady locations.
What is a Rush? There are eight genera in the Rush
Family which contain about 400 species. The most well-known and largest genus
is Juncus which contains 300 species. Most of the Juncus group grow almost
exclusively in wetlands.
A Comparison
Grasses
Sedges
Rushes
A Comparison- Flowers & Capsules
“Flower” Breakdown Each “flower” is
composed of 2 rings of tepals.
Inside the perianth (the rings of tepals) are one or two rings of 3 stamens.
In the centre is the ovary with 3 stigmas.
The fruit is a capsule.
World Wide Uses For Rushes Rushes can be found on every continent
with the exception of Antarctica. In many countries they have been
historically used to make items such as rugs, baskets, boats, candles, insulation, roofing, and bedding materials.
…………Here are some of these items.
The Japanese Soft Rush Mat
Rush Candlestick
In Europe the rush pith was soaked in grease and used as a cheap alternative to candles.
Muwekma Peoples Rush Uses
They used the Tule Rush for the creation of boats. (Right Upper)
Tule rushes were also used for roofing.
Baltic Rush(Juncus balticus) Baltic rush can be found from
Alaska to Newfoundland, south to Virginia and in Texas and California.
Baltic rush is wind pollinated. Can be found in wet
meadows, along stream banks, rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Aboriginal peoples used it for basket weaving.
Non-Native
Hairy Wood Rush(Luzula pilosa) Usually occurs in non-
wetlands, such as forest edges, forests, woodlands.
There are two varieties of Hairy Wood Rush, one is common around Eastern North America while the other is more rare but can be found in South Eastern North America.
Toad RushJuncus bufonius
Annual rush; low flowering stem; unbranched or branchy at base.
Habitat: moist to wet open sandy areas
Special notes: name bufonius means “pertaining to the toad”
Toad rush grows in almost every country of the world
The Rarest Species of Rush…