Rush (9)
Rushes are distinguished by their smooth, round, solid stems. See also Bulrush and Small-flowered Woodrush.
Alpine Rush
Juncus alpinoarticulatus (J. alpinus)
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Northern Green Rush
Photo taken on:
July 22, 2014
Location:
Poverty Gulch, GV, CO
Life Zones:
Montane to subalpine
Habitat:
Moist areas
Grows to 18" with 1 or 2 narrow leaves. The flower head is branched with 2 to 10 flowers at the end of the branches. The bract is short below the flower head.
Flora of North America reference.
Mountain Rush
Juncus arcticus ssp littoralis (J. balticus)
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Arctic Rush, Wire Rush, Baltic Rush
Photo taken on:
June 24, 2013
Location:
Almont, CO
Life Zones:
Plains to subalpine
Habitat:
Moist areas
Grows over 2ft with a stiff, erect stem, no leaves and a dense flower head. The single bract extending beyond the flowers looks like the stem. The outer parts are purplish with a green stripe.
Flora of North America reference.
Jointleaf Rush
Juncus articulatus
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Jointed Rush
Photo taken on:
July 28, 2014
Location:
Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones:
Plains to subalpine
Habitat:
Moist areas, wet sand
Grows to 2ft with rolled green or tannish leaves. Horizontal joints can be felt in the leaves every ¼", and seen when dried. Flower heads are branched and spreading with a short bract and 3-10 flowers per head. Flowers are green to dark brown.
Flora of North America reference.
Drummond's Rush
Juncus drummondii
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
July 14, 2012
Location:
Paradise Divide, CO
Life Zones:
Subalpine and alpine
Habitat:
Wet areas, streamsides
Grows to 16" with a few narrow leaves. The flowers grow on the side of the stem near the top with a long bract that extends beyond the flowers. The thick tepals are dark brown with thin transparent edges.
Flora of North America reference.
Mexican Rush
Juncus mexicanus (J. arcticus var. mexicanus)
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
June 1, 2018
Location:
Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones:
Plains to montane
Habitat:
Moist areas
Grows to over 2ft tall with 1, sometimes 2, 6" leaf blades. Like Mountain Rush the single bract extends almost 3" past the flower head. Flower heads are loose with brown tepals.
Flora of North America reference.
Mertens' Rush
Juncus mertensianus
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Slender-stemmed Rush
Photo taken on:
July 14, 2012
Location:
Paradise Divide, CO
Life Zones:
Montane, subalpine and alpine
Habitat:
Moist to wet areas
Grows to 12" in tufts with a solitary round cluster of flowers at the top of the stem. The flower head is dense and has a one leaf-like bract above.
Flora of North America reference.
Rocky Mountain Rush
Juncus saximontanus (Juncus ensifolius var. montanus)
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Sword-leaved Rush
Photo taken on:
July 15, 2013
Location:
Almont Triangle, GV, CO
Life Zones:
Plains to montane
Habitat:
Moist areas
Grows in clumps to 18" tall with flat, sword-shaped leaves. Flowers are brown and grow in dense clusters at the top of the stem.
Flora of North America reference.
Torrey's Rush
Juncus torreyi
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
August 3, 2012
Location:
Rio Chama Recreation Area, NM
Life Zones:
Plains and foothills
Habitat:
Wet areas, streamsides
Grows to 3ft with many dense round ½" to ¾" clusters of flowers. The pointed flowers are reddish, greenish or tan. The fruit is a pointed, reddish-brown capsule, at bottom left.
Flora of North America reference.
Northern White Rush
Juncus triglumis var. albescens
Family:
Rush (Juncaceae)
AKA:
Three-hulled Rush, Three-flowered Rush, White Rush
Photo taken on:
July 19, 2011
Location:
Poverty Gulch, GV, CO
Life Zones:
Subalpine and alpine
Habitat:
Moist rocky terrain
Grows to only 6" with slender basal leaves.
Flora of North America reference.