Juncus sp. at Molonglo Valley, ACT

A rush at Molonglo Valley, ACT

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Identification history

Juncus sp.	16 Feb 2022	michaelb
Juncus sp.	16 Feb 2022	michaelb
Juncus australis	15 Feb 2022	sangio7
Juncus usitatus	15 Feb 2022	sangio7

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5 comments

Tapirlord wrote:

16 Feb 2022

Probably australis, but I agree with Michael, a species ID is too difficult from the photos provided. If you are interested in taking these rushes beyond genus, then ideally photos of the inflorescence (both an up-close general shot, and a shot of how it sprouts from the culm) are required, it is also a good idea to check for leaves (present in a number of local species), and provide information about the height of the plant, the number of flowers per cluster and the nature of culm (glaucous, sub-glaucous, blue, green or brown-colored), etc... There are around 25 local species so it's a lot to get one's head around!!

Tapirlord wrote:

16 Feb 2022

In saying this, it could just as likely be J.flavidus, J.vaginatus or J.gregiflorus....

michaelb wrote:

16 Feb 2022

Thanks Ciaran

sangio7 wrote:

16 Feb 2022

Thanks for that. I guess Michael's verdict was not unexpected. My ID was based on comparison, with the photos of Murray Fagg on the anbg/anh plant image index, of the shape of the infloresceces and how they cluster, from which I narrowed it down to australis and usitatus, with australis being closer.

These rushes and sedges sure are difficult, so it's no surprise there are so few sightings reported in relation to how many there are around this year.
Very frustrating being surrounded by all these different species and not being able to positively ID them. Hopefully I can get my physicist's head around your tips and make a bit more progress before this dry spell we've moved into finishes them off.

On a positive note, I was very pleased with my other sightings yesterday. The spot I was working in was so much better (in diversity and numbers of native plants) than I was expecting in that spot. 27 native species observed and the masses of Tricoryne elatior were a real delight to see. Perhaps our years of weed control there is paying off and certainly my time yesterday was well spent.

Tapirlord wrote:

16 Feb 2022

It is a good source of photos but worth noting that all local members of the genus are not actually represented (around 10 species missing).

It's a shame really with the rushes and grass being so plentiful this year, but yes ID becomes much harder once we take away the flashy flower haha. Just goes to show the importance of adding field notes to one's sightings. But hopefully, with what I have said in mind we should be able to get a more certain ID next time around.

Glad to hear that Kama and its surroundings are flourishing, the forests and grasslands of Mugga, Red hill, and Farrer ridge nature reserves (on my side of town) are stocked with Eleocharis, Juncus, and Cyperus glorious to see the bush so alive!

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