Kellogg’s rush (Juncus kelloggii) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 3

Species information

Name and classification

Scientific name:

Juncus kelloggii Engelm. [see Douglas et al. 2001]

Common name:

Kellogg’s Rush

Family:

Juncaceae Rush Family

Major plant group:

monocot flowering plant

Description

Juncus kelloggii is an annual herb that grows from a short, fibrous root. It has erect stems, 0.4-4 cm tall (Figure 1; Hitchcock et al. 1969). Leaves basal, bristle-like, nearly circular in cross-section, tapered and lacking cross-walls. Flowers are mostly single or in clusters (of 2) on a leafless stem and terminal. The perianth segments are brown to reddish-brown, 2.5-3.5 mm long, pointed, and subequal. There are three stamens. The anthers are 0.4 mm long and are shorter than the filaments. Bracts are scale-like and inconspicuous. Fruits are capsules, blunt and as long as the perianth segments. Seeds are barrel-shaped, with prominent longitudinal ribs and cross-walls, about 0.4 mm long and lacking tail-like appendages (Douglas et al. 2001).

Juncus kelloggii may be confused with (Juncus bufonius), another small annual rush. The latter species has an involucral bract that appears as a continuation of the stem, whereas J. kelloggii has only scale-like involucral bracts. In Oregon and California, J. kelloggii may also be confused with the similar species J. tiehmii.

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