Joint-leaf rush (Juncus articulatus, Sp. Pl.: 327 (1753))

Family: Juncaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 327 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Juncus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

The Joint-leaf rush, known scientifically as Juncus articulatus, is an intriguing member of the Juncaceae family. Described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has since drawn attention for its unique characteristics and adaptability.

Juncus articulatus primarily inhabits the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where it thrives in wet, marshy environments such as the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers. This hardy rush is often found in areas that are intermittently flooded, demonstrating its remarkable resilience to varying water levels.

One of the distinctive features of the Joint-leaf rush is its jointed stems, which are the inspiration for its common name. These stems are typically slender, erect, and can reach heights that allow the plant to stand out in its natural habitat. The leaves are notably cylindrical and hollow, providing buoyancy that aids in its survival in aquatic and semi-aquatic settings.

Flowering from late spring to early autumn, Juncus articulatus produces small, clustered flowers that are subtle yet add to the plant’s overall appeal. These flowers are often greenish-brown and form dense, compact heads, which later give way to small seed capsules. The plant’s reproductive strategy involves both wind and water dispersal, ensuring its seeds can travel to new, appropriate locations for germination.

Ecologically, the Joint-leaf rush plays a significant role in its environment. It provides habitat and food for various wildlife, including insects, amphibians, and birds. Its presence also helps in stabilizing soil and reducing erosion along water bodies, contributing to the health of the ecosystem.

In summary, Juncus articulatus, or Joint-leaf rush, stands out as a vital plant in the temperate Northern Hemisphere’s wetland landscapes. Its robust nature, unique physical traits, and ecological importance make it a subject of interest for botanists and environmentalists alike.

Common Names

Dan: glanskapslet siv
Deu: glanzfrüchtige binse, glieder-binse, gewöhnliche glieder-binse
Eng: joint-leaf rush, jointed rush, jointleaf rush
Fra: jonc à fruits luisants, jonc articulé
Nor: ryllfrytle
Nno: ryllsiv
Nob: ryllsiv
Swe: ryltåg, solmuvihvilä
Fin: solmuvihvilä
Nld: zomprus
Sme: čuolbmajiekta
Cym: brwynen glymog glaergib, brwynen gymalog, lladdfrwyn, llafrwynen
Ita: giunco nodoso
En: Joint-leaf rush, Jointed rush, Jointleaf rush
Ar: أسل مفصلي
Be: Сітнік членісты
Bg: Членеста дзука
Ca: Jonc articulat, Jonquet articulat
Zh: 小花灯心草, 小花灯芯草
Cs: Sítina článkovaná
Da: Glanskapslet siv
Nl: Zomprus
Et: Läikviljaline luga
Fi: Solmuvihvilä
Fr: Jonc Articulé, Jonc à fruits luisants, Jonc à fruits brillants
De: Gewöhnliche Glieder-Binse, Gegliederte Binse, Gegliederte Simse, Gewöhnliche Gliederbinse, Glanz-Binse, Glieder-Binse, Glieder-Simse, Gliederbinse, Gliedersimse, Glanzfrüchtige Binse, Glänzendfrüchtige Binse
He: סמר הפרקים
It: Giunco nodoso
Lv: Spožaugļu donis
Se: Čuolbmajiekta
No: Ryllfrytle
Nb: Ryllsiv
Nn: Ryllsiv
Fa: سازوی مفصلی
Pl: Sit członowaty
Ru: Ситник членистый
Sv: Ryltåg, Solmuvihvilä
Zh-tw: 小花燈心草
Zh-hant: 小花燈心草
Uk: Ситник членистий
Cy: Brwynen gymalog, Brwynen Glymog Glaergib, Lladdfrwyn, Llafrwynen

Synonyms

• Juncus lampocarpus var. aquaticus (Hartm.)
• Juncus articulatus var. virens (H.Post)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• India (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Antipodean Is. (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Fruit

Taken Jun 22, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Benjamin Suze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Benjamin Suze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 15, 2021 by Steef Steeneken (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2020 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2020 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2022 by Zapata Coll (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2020 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 21, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by brian alabaster (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jacques Maréchal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2019 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2701261)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:442698-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Juncus articulatus L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.8

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 1