Mertens' rush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mertens' rush |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Juncaceae |
| Genus: | Juncus |
| Species: |
J. mertensianus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Juncus mertensianus Bong.
|
|
| Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Juncus slwookoorum |
|
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
Juncus mertensianus, also known as Mertens' rush or Alaska rush, is a type of plant from the rush family. It grows in clumps and comes back year after year, making it a perennial herb. This plant grows from an underground stem called a rhizome.
What is Mertens' Rush?
Mertens' rush is a plant that grows in wet, mountainous areas. You can find it near riverbanks and in high-altitude meadows. It is native to a large part of western North America. This includes places from Alaska down to New Mexico, and as far east as Saskatchewan.
How Does it Look?
The stems of Mertens' rush are smooth and flat. They can grow up to about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. The plant has only a few leaves. These leaves grow both at the very bottom of the plant and along its stems.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Mertens' rush usually grow in one main cluster. Each flower has shiny, dark brown to black parts called tepals. These are like petals and are about 3 to 4 millimeters long.
Each flower also has six stamens, which are the male parts. These stamens have yellowish anthers that hold the pollen. The flowers also have long, reddish stigmas, which are the female parts that catch the pollen. After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a dark, oval-shaped fruit. This fruit is a capsule that holds the seeds.
 | Frances Mary Albrier |
 | Whitney Young |
 | Muhammad Ali |
