| Tasmania has
two genera of the rush family (Juncaceae), including 36 native and
16 introduced species. Species are very common components of
riparian and marshy vegetation, but also occur in dry grassy areas
and forests. Species typically have long and narrow leaves and
erect cylindrical flowering stems bearing panicles. The flowers are
small, have a perianth of six parts (one whorl of three "petals" and
one of three "sepals"). Unlike related families,
Poaceae, Centrolepidaceae and
Cyperaceae, but like Restionaceae,
the flowers have petals and sepals (although these are small and
dry). Juncaceae differ from Restionaceae in that the leaves are long
and photosynthetic. Some Cyperaceae can be confused with
Juncaceae, notably Ficinia
nodosa and some
Schoenus and
Isolepis species. |
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