Juncus bufonius, known commonly as toad rush, is a widespread flowering plant species complex in the rush family Juncaceae.GRIN-Global Web v 1.9.4.2: Taxonomy of Juncus bufoniusUSDA: Juncus bufoniusJepson: Juncus bufonius
Distribution Its native range is circumpolar throughout tropical, subtropical, subarctic, and temperate climate areas of the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of North America Efloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of ChinaEfloras.org: Juncus bufonius in Flora of PakistanOnline Field Guide to Common Saltmarsh Plants of Queensland PIER Profile: Juncus bufonius It is also widely distributed as an introduced species in suitable habitats worldwide. It grows in moist and muddy places, often in wetlands and riparian areas. Calflora: Juncus bufonius
In habitats where it is not native and has naturalized it may be considered a weed. The relationship of North America plants to the Eurasian Juncus ranarius is weakly delineated.
Description Juncus bufonius is an annual monocot that is quite variable in appearance. It is generally a green clumping grasslike rush, with many thin stems wrapped with few threadlike leaves.
The flowers are borne in inflorescences and also in the joint where the inflorescence branches off of the stem. It is a grassy flower folded within tough bracts and sepals. The blooming period is March to May in the Northern Hemisphere and September to November in the Southern Hemisphere.
Varieties Varieties include: Juncus bufonius var. bufonius — North America. Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. bufonius Juncus bufonius var. congestus — North America.Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. congestus Juncus bufonius var. occidentalis — North America.Calflora: Juncus bufonius var. occidentalis Juncus bufonius var. rechingeri — South Asia.
References
External links Calflora Database: Juncus bufonius (Toad rush) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Juncus bufonius