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Needlegrass Rush

Juncus roemerianus Scheele

Description

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Herbs, perennial, 5--15 dm. Rhizomes long, thick, scaly. Culms gray-green, 2--5 mm diam. Cataphylls 2--5. Leaves basal, 1--3; auricles absent; blade terete, 40--80 cdm x 1.5--2.5 mm. Inflorescences sympodial or appearing lateral, glomerules to 150, each with 2--6 perfect or pistillate flowers, congested to open, 4--20 x 5--10 cm; primary bracts terete, longer than inflorescence. Flowers: tepals pale brown, 2.5--3.3 mm, apex acuminate; outer series acuminate; inner series slightly shorter, acutish; stamens 6, sometimes rudimentary, filaments 0.2--0.7 mm, anthers 1.3--2.5 mm; style 0.3--1 mm. Capsules brown, 3-locular, ovoid to oblate, 1.7--3 x 1.3--1.6 mm, mostly distinctly shorter than perianth, apiculate. Seeds dark brown, ellipsoid, 0.4--0.6 mm, not tailed.
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 22 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
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Habitat & Distribution

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Flowering and fruiting spring--early fall. Coastal tidal marshes in dense zonal stands; Ala., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., La., Md., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex.as, Va.
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 22 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
source
Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
editor
Flora of North America Editorial Committee
project
eFloras.org
original
visit source
partner site
eFloras

Broad-scale Impacts of Fire

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: cover, formation, marsh

A black-rush-dominated coastal marsh in Mississippi was burned in late
February during low tide when the marsh surface was exposed. The
immediate effect was the removal of 71 percent of the vegetative cover.
Most culms were only partially burned. Incomplete combustion of black
rush was apparently due to the formation of a steam layer along the
marsh floor and/or the high moisture content of the culms near the
sediment [9].
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Broad-scale Impacts of Plant Response to Fire

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: fire exclusion, prescribed fire

The Research Project Summary Vegetative response to fire exclusion and
prescribed fire rotation on 2 Maryland salt marshes
provides information on
prescribed fire and postfire response of plant community species, including
black rush, that was not available when this species review was written.
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Common Names

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
black rush
black needlerush
needlerush
needle rush
needle grass
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Cover Value

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: cover, marsh

Black rush presumably provides good hiding cover for the birds and small
mammals that inhabit and visit coastal marshes.

The long-billed marsh wren, clapper rail, and seaside sparrow nest
primarily in black rush [19,25]. Rice rats, which prey on bird eggs,
also nest in black rush, usually in the vicinity of nesting long-billed
marsh wrens and seaside sparrows [19]. The black duck and occasionally
other waterfowl also nest in black rush [17].
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Description

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: density, herb, marsh

Black rush is a tufted, coarse and rigid, rhizomatous, perennial
grasslike herb. It tolerates a wide range of environments, which
greatly affects its density and growth habit. Where soil water salinity
is low, black rush is often very robust, with leaves reaching over 7
feet (2.1 m) in height, while in hypersaline areas the plants are
dwarfed, often less than 1 foot (0.3 m) tall [5]. Both tall and short
stature plants occur in most salt marshes, with the tallest plants
occurring near open water (low soil salinity) and the shortest near land
(high soil salinity because of longer and more frequent periods of
exposure) [25]. Conversely, plant density increases farther inland. In
northwest Florida, stem density and height varied with elevation as
follows [25]:

low marsh upper marsh high marsh
(deep water) (shallow water)

density (shoots/m2) 1660 2097 4719
live shoot density 885 993 1692
dead shoot density 776 1164 3029

mean height (inches/cm) 40/102 35/88 31/78

Rhizomes average about 0.35 inch (9 mm) in diameter, and are primarily
located within 4 inches (10 cm) of the soil surface [5,28].
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Distribution

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Black rush is primarily restricted to coastal marshes and estuaries of
the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast states. Its distribution is
continuous from New Jersey to southern Florida, and westward to
southeastern Texas. Scattered outlying populations also occur in
Connecticut, New York, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands [4].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Ecology

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the term: fire regime

Black rush survives fire by sending up new growth from surviving
underground rhizomes after aboveground plant portions have been
consumed.

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this
species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Management Considerations

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: fresh, fuel, headfire, marsh, peat, prescribed burn

Prescribed burning on a 4- to 5-year rotation can be used to maintain
the vigor of black rush marshes. Burning more frequently would be
difficult because of insufficient fuel. It takes more than 3 years for
total biomass to reach preburn levels [13].

In southern Florida salt marshes, adequate wind is needed when
conducting a prescribed burn in order to push the fire over open water.
If standing water is not present, soil moisture should exceed 65 percent
on areas underlain by peat, to prevent its ignition. Salt marshes
bordered by mangrove (Rizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans) are easy to
burn because the mangrove acts as a fire break. Where fresh and
saltwater marsh merge, fire can be confined to the salt marsh by
knocking a swath through the fuel at the vegetative boundary and setting
a headfire from that line [27].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

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More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: geophyte, helophyte

Geophyte
Helophyte
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat characteristics

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: natural, organic soils, peat, swamp

Black rush inhabits coastal tidal marshes and may extend as far as 10 to
15 miles inland along river estuaries [6]. It typically occurs in
nearly pure stands, forming a distinct vegetation zone that may be
several hundred yards to several miles wide [25]. This zone usually
encompasses a narrow elevational range. In Mississippi, the black rush
zone covered an elevational range of only 0.7 feet (0.2 m), from 1.7 to
2.4 feet (0.54-0.75 m) above mean low water [6,25].

Salinity: Black rush tolerates a wide range of salinities. It has a
greater tolerance to salt than most plants inhabiting brackish or saline
marshes. High-salinity soils tend to favor black rush by removing less
salt-tolerant competitors. Under laboratory conditions, it grows best
in freshwater, but its natural inland distribution is limited by low
salinity. Along Mississippi coastal rivers, black rush is replaced
inland by sawgrass or tree-covered swamp as salinity decreases. Growth
in freshwater habitats may be restricted by soil organisms which feed on
black rush rhizomes [6].

Soil: Black rush grows on a wide variety of soil types, ranging from
almost pure sand to fine silt and clay mixtures. It grows in highly
organic soils, including peat. In black rush stands in Mississippi,
soil pH ranged from 4.5 to 7.0 [6].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Cover Types

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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

101 Baldcypress
102 Baldcypress - tupelo
106 Mangrove
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Ecosystem

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES16 Oak - gum - cypress
FRES41 Wet grasslands
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Plant Associations

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

K072 Sea oats prairie
K073 Northern cordgrass prairie
K078 Southern cordgrass prairie
K080 Marl - everglades
K090 Live oak - sea oats
K092 Everglades
K105 Mangrove
K113 Southern floodplain forest
license
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Immediate Effect of Fire

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the term: marsh

The effects of fire on black rush mortality vary with water depth and
soil moisture. On flooded sites, and on sites with exposed but
saturated soils, fire may consume aboveground plant portions but leave
underground regenerative structures unharmed. When a marsh floor is
completely dry, however, fire can burn deep into the soil, consuming the
rhizomes and killing entire stands [24].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Importance to Livestock and Wildlife

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: cover, density, marsh

Habitat: Food and cover are abundant in black-rush-dominated coastal
marshes because plant density and net primary productivity are high.
However, few animal species have adapted to the rigorous conditions
created by the alternating terrestrial and aquatic environment. Those
that have adapted are abundant; thus animal production is high, but
diversity is low [19]. Mammal residents include the nutria, muskrat,
rice rat, and marsh rabbit. Other mammals, such as the raccoon, cotton
rat, mink, and cotton mouse, are common visitors but prefer more
terrestrial, less frequently flooded marsh [19,25]. Black-
rush-dominated marsh is the primary nesting and feeding habitat of the
clapper rail and seaside sparrow. Additionally, more than 60 species of
birds use habitats within this marsh type at least seasonally [25].

Food: Black rush's value as wildlife food is limited. Its small seeds
are eaten only rarely by ducks [17]. Although generally not a preferred
muskrat or nutria food, black rush leaves and rhizomes can be an
important food source for these animals in local areas [6,18].

Black rush is generally avoided by cattle [2].
license
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Key Plant Community Associations

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the term: marsh

Black rush is one of the dominant marsh species of the southern Atlantic
and Gulf coasts. In northwest Florida, it has been estimated that 60
percent of the salt marshes are covered with monospecific stands of this
species [19]. In many situations, monospecific stands of smooth
cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) form a seaward zone that borders black
rush. The boundary between these communities is usually distinct and
abrupt [4,19].

Black-rush-dominated communities have been separated into three
generalized categories based upon elevation and soil salinity influences
[25]. The number of species associated with black rush tends to
increase as water salinity decreases [4]. The three categories of black
rush marsh are presented below:

(1) Saline marsh, which experiences little dilution of tidal waters.
Associates include smooth cordgrass, saltmeadow cordgrass (S. patens),
giant cordgrass (S. cynosuroides), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata),
glasswort (Salicornia spp.), Olney threesquare (Scirpus americanus), and
saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpus robustus).

(2) Brackish marsh, where tidal waters are routinely diluted before
flooding the marsh. Associates include smooth cordgrass, giant
cordgrass, saltmeadow cordgrass, sealavender (Limonium caroliniana),
Olney threesquare, and common arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia).

(3) Intermediate marsh, which is transitional between brackish and
freshwater marsh. Associates include common reed (Phragmites
australis), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), softstem bulrush (Scirpus
validus), and Virginia iris (Iris virginica).
license
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Life Form

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the term: graminoid

Graminoid
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Management considerations

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Black rush was effectively controlled with aerial applications of
various herbicides in Florida. Plants were most susceptible to spraying
just before and during flowering. Multiple cuttings also provided
effective black rush control [20].

Black rush is an increaser in coastal marshes grazed by cattle [2,24].
license
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Occurrence in North America

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
AL CT DE FL GA LA MD MS NJ NY
NC SC TX VA MEXICO
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Phenology

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More info on this topic.

More info for the term: marsh

In contrast with associated marsh plants which have a single annual
flush of growth, black rush produces new shoots and leaves throughout
the year [7]. Flowering in several states is as follows [3,21]:

southern Florida - March
southeastern Louisiana - March and April
Mississippi - late January to May, peak in March
North Carolina - January to June
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Plant Response to Fire

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the term: marsh

In coastal Mississippi black-rush-dominated marshes, net primary
productivity over a 3-year period was greater on burned than on unburned
marsh. However, black rush recovered more slowly than did species of
cordgrass. Three years after burning, total black rush biomass was
lower than before burning [13].

Myers [20] reported that winter burning increased Olney threesquare when
it occurred as a competing subdominant with black rush. In nearly pure
stands of black rush, however, burning did not change the species
composition of the marsh.
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Post-fire Regeneration

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: herb, rhizome

Rhizomatous herb, rhizome in soil
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regeneration Processes

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: marsh, perfect, rhizome, seed

Black rush reproduces both sexually and asexually. Existing stands are
maintained through vigorous rhizome growth, while new stands are
established via seed dispersal and seedling establishment. Black rush
reproduction biology presented below is summarized from Eleuterius
[3,6].

Seed production and dispersal: Two flowering types occur in black rush.
Plants produce either perfect flowers only, or pistillate flowers only.
Pistillate-flowered plants produce more and higher viability seeds than
perfect-flowered plants. Seeds from a single inflorescence are shed
simultaneously.

Germination and seedling establishment: Black rush seeds are highly
viable. In Mississippi, germination averaged about 75 percent and 60
percent for seeds from pistillate and perfect flowers, respectively.
Seeds remain viable for more than 1 year and may germinate any time
germination requirements for moisture and light are met. The seeds are
light dependent; thus few seedlings occur on muddy sediments where seeds
are easily covered. Sandy, wet, vegetation-free substrates provide the
best germination sites because seeds are not easily covered, and if they
are covered, sufficient light for germination is able to penetrate the
thin sand covering. In fact black rush seedlings are almost always
restricted to barren, sandy areas. They are almost never found in
established black rush stands or other marsh types. Germination
decreases with increasing salinity, and is inhibited by salinities above
15 parts per thousand. In Mississippi, germination which leads to
successful plant establishment occurs from November to April. Spring
and summer germinants are less likely to survive because surface
sediments dry during the summer and fall resulting in seedling death.
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Successional Status

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More info on this topic.

More info for the term: climax

Obligate Climax Species

Black rush is considered a climax species [4].
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Taxonomy

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
The currently accepted scientific name of black rush is Juncus
roemerianus Scheele. [11,22]. There are no recognized varieties,
subspecies, or forms.
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Value for rehabilitation of disturbed sites

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Black rush may be useful for shoreline stabilization and for vegetating
dredged spoils, but direct planting is rarely justified because of
erratic transplanting success. For shoreline stabilization, it is
easier to establish other species and allow black rush to naturally
invade where it is best adapted [14]. However, Stout [25] points out
that black rush is very slow to naturally colonize spoil islands in
Mississippi, often taking 10 years. It is estimated that it would take
16 to 35 years for black rush to colonize spoils and form a closed stand
[25].
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Juncus roemerianus

provided by wikipedia EN

Juncus roemerianus is a species of flowering plant in the rush family known by the common names black rush, needlerush, and black needlerush. It is native to North America, where its main distribution lies along the coastline of the southeastern United States, including the Gulf Coast. It occurs from New Jersey to Texas, with outlying populations in Connecticut, New York, Mexico, and certain Caribbean islands.[1]

Description

This rush is a perennial plant forming tufts of rough, rigid stems and leaves. It is gray-green in color. The plant may appear to be leafless at first glance, but what look like sharp-pointed stems are actually stiff leaves rolled tightly to form pointed cylinders. The true stems are tipped with inflorescences.[2] It grows from a rhizome. This plant is variable in appearance. Its size and shape depend on environmental conditions in its salt marsh habitat. In areas with low soil salinity the plant can exceed two meters in height, whereas in high-salinity areas the rush is dwarfed, sometimes measuring under 30 centimeters (12 in.) tall. Both large and small plants generally occur in one marsh, with the large plants nearest the open water and the small plants occurring on higher ground in the salt flats and other areas of higher salinity.[1] Plants of different sizes differ genetically, as well, with soil salinity being the selective force leading to the genetic variation. The dwarf plants have an adaptation to high soil salinity. Larger plants lack this adaptation, and do not survive when experimentally transplanted to high-salinity environments.[3]

Reproduction

The plant reproduces sexually by seed and vegetatively by sprouting from its spreading rhizome. It expands its dense, sometimes monotypic stands by sending up new stems from the rhizome, and establishes new stands by broadcasting seeds. The species is gynodioecious, with some plants having bisexual flowers and some having only female reproductive parts. The seeds are very viable, germinating readily, but they require light for germination and may fail to sprout if covered in thick mud. Therefore, seedlings are most often seen in open, sandy stretches, and rarely in areas with dense vegetation or thick substrates. The plant grows new shoots and leaves year-round, and does not typically experience seasonal growth spurts.[1] Dead leaves remain on the plant for a long time, leading to an accumulation of plant matter. The species may form much of the physical structure of the marsh.[4]

Ecology

This is a common and ecologically important plant in its range, often dominating salt marshes and estuaries. In northwestern Florida perhaps 60% of all the salt marshes are covered in this species of rush. This species and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) are the dominant plants in Mississippi tidal marshes.[5] These two species are often found together,[6] with S. alterniflora occupying lower levels of the marsh and J. roemerianus growing in the mid-level and upper reaches of the marsh.[7] In river estuaries it can occur 10 to 15 miles inland.[1]

Other plants occurring in the higher-salinity regions of the marsh include saltmeadow cordgrass (S. patens), giant cordgrass (S. cynosuroides), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), glassworts (Salicornia spp.), Olney threesquare (Scirpus americanus), and saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpus robustus). In the brackish marsh plant associates may include sealavender (Limonium carolinianum) and common arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia). In the intermediate marsh between the brackish and freshwater marsh levels other plants include common reed (Phragmites australis), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), softstem bulrush (Scirpus validus), and Virginia iris (Iris virginica).[1]

This rush provides cover for a number of salt marsh animal species. Birds such as the long-billed marsh wren, clapper rail, and seaside sparrow nest in it. Rice rats nest in it and prey on the eggs of the local birds. A number of fungal species grow on this rush, some exclusively. The new ascomycete species Aquamarina speciosa, Keissleriella rara, Massarina carolinensis, and Paraphaeosphaeria pilleata were described from dead or dying stems of this rush.[8]

Potential uses

This plant has shown potential as an agent of phytoremediation after oil spills. When it grows in sediments polluted with diesel fuel it reduces the concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and n-alkanes in the sediments.[9]

Chemistry

Juncusol is a 9,10-dihydrophenathrene derivative found in J. roemerianus.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Uchytil, Ronald J. (1992). Juncus roemerianus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved 1-2-2012.
  2. ^ Juncus roemerianus. University of Florida IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Retrieved 1-2-2012.
  3. ^ Eleuterius, L. N. (1989). Natural selection and genetic adaptation to hypersalinity in Juncus roemerianus Scheele. Aquatic Botany 36(1) 45-53. Retrieved 1-2-2012.
  4. ^ Christian, R. R., et al. (1990). Juncus roemerianus production and decomposition along gradients of salinity and hydroperiod. Marine Ecology Progress Series 68 137-45. Retrieved 1-2-2012.
  5. ^ Biber, P. and J. D. Caldwell. Regional Native Plant Nursery for Habitat Restoration. University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Retrieved 1-2-2012.
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  10. ^ Antimicrobial activity of juncusol, a novel 9-10-dihydrophenanthrene from the marsh plant Juncus roemerianus. Kirit D. Chapatwala, Armando A. de la Cruz and D.Howard Miles, Life Sciences, 9 November 1981, Volume 29, Issue 19, Pages 1997–2001, doi:10.1016/0024-3205(81)90609-3
  11. ^ The structure of juncusol. A novel cytotoxic dihydrophenanthrene from the Estuarine marsh plant Juncus roemerianus. D H Miles, J Bhattacharyya, N V Mody, J L Atwood, S Black and P A Hedin, Journal of the American Chemical Society, February 1977, volume 99, issue 2, pages 618-620, PMID 830696

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Juncus roemerianus: Brief Summary

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Juncus roemerianus is a species of flowering plant in the rush family known by the common names black rush, needlerush, and black needlerush. It is native to North America, where its main distribution lies along the coastline of the southeastern United States, including the Gulf Coast. It occurs from New Jersey to Texas, with outlying populations in Connecticut, New York, Mexico, and certain Caribbean islands.

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