Juncus dichotomus

forked rush
Family

Juncaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

filiform

Growth Form

graminoid

Flower Color

inconspicuous

Flower Month

March - October

Height (meters)

0.2 - 1.2

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Cool season


Wetland Class

FACW

Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism

5

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

4

Field Characters

Juncus dichotomous is similar to J. marginatus but has only one flower per subtending stalk and its capsules are straw colored at maturity while J. marginatus has many flowers per stalk and its capsules are reddish brown. Juncus dichotomous is a tufted perennial much like J. interior which has a more diffuse inflorescence. Juncus tenuis might be confused with J. dichotomus but has flattened leaves and an ear-shaped structure at the top of its leaf sheath, while the top of the leaf sheath of J. dicotomus is round and it has no ear-shaped structures. Very slender stem, 2-3’ tall, broad. Flat septate leaves.

Cultural Information

The seeds of most species of Juncus may be planted fresh or after cold/moist stratification, and require light for germination (Steffen 1997). Seeds average approximately 40,000,000/lb.

Natural History

Found in moist, sandy soils of Louisiana and east and southeast Texas. Correll and Johnston (1979) report it to be infrequent to rare in Texas and consider it to grade into Juncus interior, with which it may be conspecific. It ranges throughout the coastal states from Massachusetts to Texas.

Habitat

Open, dry or moist areas.