Rare Species Guide

  Basis for Listing

All of the available evidence indicates that Juncus marginatus (marginated rush) has always been very rare in Minnesota. In fact, for the better part of a century, it was thought to occur at only one site, a small sand dune/wetland complex in Fridley (Anoka County). When that site was destroyed in 1960, it was feared that J. marginatus was gone from the state. Although it was listed as special concern in 1996, a status of endangered was considered but thought premature, since there was no certainty it would ever be found in Minnesota again. However, efforts to rediscover the species yielded unexpected results in 1999, when a cluster of small colonies was found in isolated habitat fragments near Blaine (Anoka County). For this reason, its status was changed to endangered in 2013. Since that time, one additional occurrence of J. marginatus has been discovered; it is a small population in a sandy wet prairie in Morrison County.

  Description

Compared to other rushes, J. marginatus is relatively small and slender, almost grass-like in appearance. The stems can reach 50 cm (20 in.) tall. The leaves are flat, not septate, and only 1-3 mm (0.04-0.12 in.) wide. The inflorescence has 5-50 hemispherical flower clusters (called glomerules), each 4-8 mm (0.16-0.31 in.) across. The individual flowers lack subtending bracts. The seeds are tiny, no more than 0.5 mm (0.02 in.) long and lack an appendage (Brooks 2000; Clements 1985).

Technical Description: Plants perennial, 20--70 cm (8-28 in.) in height. Culms arising singly or few together. Rhizomes short, to about 4 cm (1.6 in.) in length. Leaves basal and cauline; blades flat, 1--4 mm (0.04-0.16 in.) wide, not septate; auricles greenish or yellowish, membranous but relatively firm, 0.3--1 mm (0.01-0.04 in.) long. Inflorescence an open or somewhat compact terminal panicle 2--10 cm (0.8-4 in.) long. Glomerules 5--50 per inflorescence, hemispherical or occasionally spherical, 4--8 mm (0.2-0.3 in.) across, each containing 3--12 flowers. Tepals ascending, pale or occasionally with reddish streaks or flecks, 1.8--3.5 mm (0.07-0.14 in.) long; the inner 3 somewhat longer than the outer 3, about equal in length to the capsules. Stamens 3 in number, 1.5--2.5 mm (0.06-0.1 in.) long; anthers shorter than filaments. Capsules obovoid, 1.8--2.9 mm (0.07-0.1 in.) long; apex round or truncate; essentially beakless. Seeds numerous, yellowish, 0.3--0.5 mm (0.01-0.02 in.) long; tails lacking or less than 0.1 mm (0.004 in.) long. Mature capsules seen early July to early September.

  Habitat

Most of the habitat for J. marginatus in Minnesota appears to be in shallow wetlands on the Anoka Sandplain. They would fall into the categories of lowland prairie and wet meadow/carr. These habitats develop where depressions in the land dip slightly below the water table, allowing water to saturate the otherwise well-drained and sandy soil. Low-stature sedges and rushes usually dominate these habitats, though scattered shrubs, particularly Salix spp. (willows), Cornus spp. (dogwoods), and Rubus spp. (bristle-berries and dew-berries) will also be present. Although the occurrence in Morrison County is not on the Anoka Sandplain, otherwise, the habitat is very similar.

  Biology / Life History

Juncus marginatus is a short-lived perennial that occurs in low densities among other rushes, sedges, and grasses. Apparently it never becomes abundant enough to dominate a habitat, at least not in the Minnesota habitats where it has been studied. The flowers are wind-pollinated, and the seeds are either gravity-dispersed or insect-dispersed. The general landscape where J. marginatus occurred at the time of settlement was a mix of savanna and prairie, so wildfire would have been a common occurrence. It is unclear how often those fires would have burned the intervening wetlands where J. marginatus occurs, but it probably did happen in some drought years, indicating that J. marginatus may be fire-adapted.

  Conservation / Management

The habitat fragments where J. marginatus occurs are in a very fragile condition and need active management to survive. Primarily, it is essential to protect or restore the natural hydrological regime. This might involve removing drain tiles, plugging ditches, re-routing storm water, or relocating wells. It is also important to protect the sites from non-compatible recreational uses, especially off-road motorized vehicles. And because the habitat fragments have been isolated from the ecosystem processes that would normally maintain them, vegetation management to control encroaching shrubs and invasive species is required. The spread of Rhamnus cathartica (common buckthorn) and Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) pose the greatest threat to the species.

  Best Time to Search

Juncus marginatus emerges in May; however, positive identification is easiest when the seed pods are fully developed in August and the first half of September.

  Conservation Efforts in Minnesota

The Minnesota DNR has secured the protection of the two largest and best habitats where J. marginatus occurs. One is in a state Scientific and Natural Area and the other is in a state Wildlife Management Area. Management of these sites to maintain habitat conditions conducive to the long-term survival of J. marginatus is hoped for.

  Authors/Revisions

Welby Smith (MNDNR), 2008 and 2018

(Note: all content ©MNDNR)

  References and Additional Information

Brooks, R. E. 2000. Juncus subgenus graminifolii. Pages 225-233 in Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editors. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Volume 22. Oxford University Press, New York, New York.

Clements, S. E. 1985. A key to the rushes (Juncus spp.) of Minnesota. The Michigan Botanist 24:33-37.

Coffin, B., and L. Pfannmuller, editors. 1988. Minnesota's endangered flora and fauna. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 473 pp.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2006. Tomorrow's habitat for the wild and rare: An action plan for Minnesota wildlife, comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy. Division of Ecological Services, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 297 pp. + appendices.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources. 2008. Rare species guide: an online encyclopedia of Minnesota's rare native plants and animals [Web Application]. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. Accessed 1 July 2009.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife. 1995. Statement of need and reasonableness in the matter of proposed amendment of Minnesota Rules, Chapter 6134: endangered and threatened species. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. 336 pp.

Ownbey, G. B., and T. Morley. 1991. Vascular plants of Minnesota: a checklist and atlas. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 320 pp.

Smith, W. R. 2018. Sedges and rushes of Minnesota: the complete guide to species identification. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 696 pp.

Wovcha, D. S., B. C. Delaney, and G. E. Nordquist. 1995. Minnesota's St. Croix River Valley and Anoka Sandplain:a guide to native habitats. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 248 pp.