Juncus torreyi Coville

Torrey's Rush

Habitat: Low areas, sandy soils, shallow waters. Occasionally tidal shores.

Range: Quebec and New Brunswick west to British Columbia south to California, Texas, and Georgia.

Aids to Identification: Rushes are recognized by their grass-like appearance, flowers with 6 tepals, and 3-valved capsules. Juncus torreyi has flowers that are borne in a dense spherical cluster where the inner tepals are shorter than the outer tepals. The seeds lack a tail-like appendage. The leaves have auricles (a leaf-like appendage where the leaf meets the stem) that are up to 5 mm long.

Ecological characteristics: This plant was historically documented along a river in southern Maine.

Phenology: Fruiting July through August.

Family: Juncaceae

Synonyms: None noted.

Known Distribution in Maine: This rare plant has historically been documented from a total of 1 town in the following county: York.

Reason(s) for rarity: At northern limit of range, not rare southward.

Conservation considerations: Unknown, has not been seen recently.

For more information, see the Native Plant Trust's Conservation Plan for Juncus torreyi.