| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperms-Monocots
Order: Poales
Family: Juncaceae
Family Common Name: Rush Family
Genera: Juncus |
Defining Features: Many species
of this family superficially resemble grasses, however, flowers with tepals,
capsular fruit and 3-ranked leaves make the distinction obvious.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Actinomorphic and usually unisexual. Inflorescence dense, head-like,
determinate, terminal and highly branched. Ovaries are superior. Fruit
and Seed Features: Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds are many. Placentation
is axile or parietal. Vegetative Features: Habit as annual or perennial,
rhizomatous, aquatic or marsh herbs. Leaves are mostly basal, simple, linear,
entire, sheathing with parallel venation. Stipules are lacking.
Distribution: Worldwide, mostly
temperate.
Economic Use: As garden ornamentals.
For weaving baskets, chair bottoms and tatami, standard floor covering
of Japanese homes.
Number of Genera Globally: 6
Number of Species Globally:
400
