Rushes are flowering plants distinguished by cylindrical stalks or hollow stems. There are over 400 rush species worldwide in the Juncaceae family. Most rushes grow in wetland areas. Rushes have historically been used for crafts like mats, baskets, boats and roofing materials. Some key rush species found in Ontario include Baltic rush, hairy wood rush, and toad rush.

1. Rushes
Of Ontario

2. What is a Rush?
 Any of several flowering plants
distinguished by cylindrical stalks or
hollow, stem-like leaves.
 The rush family (Juncaceae) includes
Juncus, the common rushes, and Luzula,
the woodrushes.
 They are found in temperate regions and
particularly in moist or shady locations.

3. What is a Rush?
 There are eight genera in the Rush Family
which contain about 400 species.
 The most well-known and largest genus is
Juncus which contains 300 species.
 Most of the Juncus group grow almost
exclusively in wetlands.

4. A Comparison

5. Grasses

6. Sedges

7. Rushes

8. A Comparison- Flowers & Capsules

9. “Flower” Breakdown
 Each “flower” is
composed of 2 rings
of tepals.
 Inside the perianth
(the rings of tepals)
are one or two rings
of 3 stamens.
 In the centre is the
ovary with 3 stigmas.
 The fruit is a capsule.

10. World Wide Uses For Rushes
 Rushes can be found on every continent
with the exception of Antarctica.
 In many countries they have been
historically used to make items such as
rugs, baskets, boats, candles, insulation,
roofing, and bedding materials.
 …………Here are some of these items.

11. The Japanese Soft Rush Mat

12. Rush Candlestick
 In Europe
the rush
pith was
soaked in
grease
and used
as a cheap
alternative
to candles.

13. Muwekma Peoples Rush Uses
 They used the
Tule Rush for
the creation
of boats.
(Right Upper)
 Tule rushes
were also
used for
roofing.

14. Baltic Rush
(Juncus balticus)
 Baltic rush can be found from
Alaska to Newfoundland, south
to Virginia and in Texas and
California.
 Baltic rush is wind pollinated.
 Can be found in wet
meadows, along stream banks,
rivers, lakes, and ponds.
 Aboriginal peoples used it for
basket weaving.
 Non-Native

15. Hairy Wood Rush
(Luzula pilosa)
 Usually occurs in non-
wetlands, such as forest
edges, forests, woodlands.
 There are two varieties of
Hairy Wood Rush, one is
common around Eastern
North America while the
other is more rare but can
be found in South Eastern
North America.

16. Toad Rush
Juncus bufonius
 Annual rush; low flowering
stem; unbranched or
branchy at base.
 Habitat: moist to wet open
sandy areas
 Special notes: name
bufonius means
“pertaining to the toad”
 Toad rush grows in almost
every country of the world

17. The Rarest Species of Rush…