Heath rush (Juncus squarrosus, Sp. Pl.: 327 (1753))

Family: Juncaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 327 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Juncus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, Morocco

Description

Heath rush, known scientifically as Juncus squarrosus, is a notable member of the Juncaceae family. Described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has a storied history within the botanic community.

Primarily found across Europe and parts of Morocco, Heath rush thrives in a variety of landscapes, often favoring heathlands, acidic grasslands, and boggy environments. Its presence is frequently observed in these regions, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological balance of these ecosystems.

The plant is characterized by its rigid, erect stems and distinctive, sharply pointed leaves. These features not only make Juncus squarrosus easily identifiable but also enable it to adapt and endure in its often harsh, native habitats. The inflorescence of Heath rush is typically a loose cluster of flowers, which, although modest in appearance, play a crucial role in its reproductive processes.

Beyond its ecological significance, Heath rush is of interest to botanists and ecologists studying the dynamics of heathland ecosystems. Its adaptability to various soil types and climates makes it a subject of study in understanding plant resilience and habitat conservation.

In summary, Heath rush (Juncus squarrosus) is a resilient and ecologically important species within the Juncaceae family, notable for its adaptability and distinctive morphology, and it continues to be a subject of interest for scientific study and conservation efforts in Europe and Morocco.

Common Names

Dan: børste-siv
Eng: mosquito rush, heath rush
Deu: sparrige binse
Swe: borsttåg, harjasvihvilä
Nor: børstfrytle
Fin: harjasvihvilä
Nob: heisiv
Nno: heisiv
Fra: jonc raide, jonc rude
Lav: skrajais donis
Nld: trekrus
Cym: brwyn y mwsogl, brwynen droellgorun, brwynen troellgorun, troellgorun
En: Heath rush, Mosquito rush
Ar: أسل محرشف
Be: Сітнік растапыраны
Ca: Jonc esquarrós
Cs: Sítina kostrbatá
Da: Børste-siv
Nl: Trekrus
Et: Nõmmluga
Fi: Harjasvihvilä
Fr: Jonc raide, Jonc rude, Brossière
De: Sparrige Binse, Sparrige Simse
Is: Stinnasef
It: Giunco delle torbiere
Lv: Skrajais donis
No: Børstfrytle
Nb: Heisiv
Nn: Heisiv
Pl: Sit sztywny
Sv: Borsttåg, Harjasvihvilä
Uk: Ситник розчепірений
Cy: Brwynen droellgorun, Brwyn y Mwsogl, Brwynen Troellgorun, Troellgorun

Synonyms

• Juncus sprengelii (Willd.)
• Juncus strictus (Lucé)
• Juncus squarrosus var. luxurians (Lej. & Courtois)
• Juncus ellmanii (C.E.Hubb., Sandwith & Turrill)
• Juncus squarrosus subsp. ellmanii ((C.E.Hubb., Sandwith & Turrill) Maire & Weiller)
• Juncus squarrosus var. longibracteatus (Zapal.)
• Juncus squarrosus var. glomeratus (Hartm.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Finland (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Svalbard (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Groupe Botanique de Bruxelles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by jvanbuul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by jvanbuul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by jvanbuul (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by jvanbuul (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Jen Jones (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Davina D. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Davina D. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2021 by Rudi Bockaert (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 2, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Alexandra W (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2701727)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:443512-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Juncus squarrosus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.0

Ph minimum: 3.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 1