Nomenclature

Species name:

Juncus acutus   L.

Author(s):

Carl von Linné
   Sweden, 1707-1778

General names:

Sharp Rush
Spiny rush
Sharp pointed rush
Sharp sea rush

Maltese name:

Simar Lixx

Plant Family:

Juncaceae   (Rush Family)

Name Derivation:

Juncus = Latin name for the rush, possibly from jungere, "to join or bind," because the stems were used for binding (Latin);
Acutus = Sharp; sharpened to a point - referring to the sharp pointed tips of the leaves (Latin).

Synonyms:

Juncus spinosus, J. multibracteatus, J. karelinii, J. maritimus subsp. acutus, J. pseudacutus, Juncastrum acutum.

Plant Description

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Habitat:

Valleys especially near coastal areas. Also grows near water courses and damp shadey sites.

Source in Malta:

Uncommon or locally frequent. Examples include Salini, Ghadira and Mistra.

Plant Height:

Up to 1m in height

Flowering Time:

March-June

This is a very widespread species found in most parts of the world in several different subspecies. This is a tough perennial that may reach up to 1m in height and as its name implies has very sharp-ending leaves. Each plant grows in a sort of small bush with pointed leaves coming out from the stem. The Stems are gery rigid and smooth in outline or occassionally with small ridges. Stems are brown in colour. Flowering stems lack any leaves whatsoever.

The Leaves are similar to the stems but are usually longer and more greenish in colour and end with a sharp point. They can inflict a painful wound if not handled with care. At their base they are dilated into darker Sheaths.

The Flowers occur in compact branched groups on the flowering stem. They are easily seen as the bracts have a totally different colour than the rest of the plant. The flowers are much smaller than the Bracts that surround them. These are about 5mm in size and are reddish-brown in colour and are oval to spear-shaped and end in a sharp point. They are quite hard on touch, almost woody. The size of the bracts decreases as one ascends the stem. The plant forms an oval capsule and forms seeds having a large protuberance and gives it roughly the shape of the number 8. The capsule is much larger than the flowers.

This species is easily identified in our islands due to the sharp leaves, large size and reddish-brown bracts surrounding the flowers. It can be confused with the rarer Juncus maritimus which however has straw-coloured bracts.

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