Juncus dichotomus

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Common names: forked rush [1]

Juncus dichotomus
Juncus dichotomus AFP.jpg
Photo by the Atlas of Florida Plants Database
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Liliopsida - Moncots
Order: Juncales
Family: Juncaceae
Genus: Juncus
Species: J. dichotomus
Binomial name
Juncus dichotomus
Ell.
JUNC DICH DIST.JPG
Natural range of Juncus dichotomus from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Taxonomic Notes

Synonyms: J. dichotomus var. platyphyllus (Wiegand)

Variety: none

Description

J. dichotomus is a perennial graminoid of the Juncaceae family that is native to North America. [1]

Distribution

J. dichotomus is found in the southern United States and much of the east coast; specifically Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado.[1]

Ecology

Habitat

J. dichotomus is often found in disturbed areas such as wet ditches and meadows. [2] Other habitats that specimens have been colelcted from include dry loamy sands, and wet ditches in pine flatwoods. [3] J. dichotomus has shown regrowth in reestablished longleaf woodlands that were disturbed by agriculture in South Carolina, making it an indicator species for post-agricultural woodlands.[4] J. dichotomus is not tolerant of drought but has a high fire tolerance. [1]

Phenology

J. dichotomus has been observed to flower in April. [5]

Seed dispersal begins in summer. [1]

Fire ecology

J. dichotomus is not fire resistant. [1]

Pollination and use by animals

J. dichotomus is not used by animals for grazing or browse. [1]

Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 USDA Plant Database
  2. Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.
  3. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2018. Collectors: Ed Keppner, Lisa Keppner, Loran Anderson, R.K. Godfrey, R.F. Doren, Andre F. Clewell, Alush Shilom Ton, Garrett Crow, Walter Judd, Richard Carter. States and counties: Florida (Bay, Wakulla, Gadsden, Washington, Leon, Franklin, Alachua) Georgia (Ben Hill, Thomas)
  4. Brudvig, L.A., E Grman, C.W. Habeck, and J.A. Ledvina. (2013). Strong legacy of agricultural land use on soils and understory plant communities in longleaf pine woodlands. Forest Ecology and Management 310: 944-955.
  5. Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 22 MAY 2018