Taxonomy
of Flowering Plants - LECTURE
NOTES - Spring, 1998
Hugh
D. Wilson - rm. 306,
Butler Hall
20 April 1998
The Commelinidae
Family Overview - Juncales
Juncaceae - the Rush Family
Diversity: grass-like,
tufted (caespitose) herbs - ca. 8 genera and 300 species.
Distribution: Worldwide,
but mostly in moist, cool places in the north temperate zone with extensions
into the tropical highlands. The Texas flora includes 2 genera (Juncus,
Luzula) and 30 species in Texas with one endemic
species of Juncus (see North
American taxa).
Floral structure:
Significant features: Small,
reduced flowers on grass-like (tufted or caespitose) plants but differing
from taxa the Cyperales in that a perianth, while reduced and usually scarious
(6 tepals) is present and the fruit is capsular.
Juncus (rush):
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developing ovaries and perianth
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infructescence with dehisced capsules and perianth
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typical plant and habitat (wetland)
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Luzula (woodrush):
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plant in flower
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infructescence
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flower (close)
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More information on the Juncaceae
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