Juncus textilis
Encyclopedia
Juncus textilis is a species of rush
known by the common name basket rush. It is endemic to California
, where it grows along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges of the southern half of the state. This is a rhizomatous
perennial herb growing to a maximum height between one and two meters. The stems are cylindrical with faint longitudinal grooves. The leaves lack blades and appear as small brown sheaths around the base of the stems. The long, bushy inflorescence
arises from the side of the stem and splits into long branches bearing clusters of many flowers. Each flower is cupped by small, clear bract
lets and has pointed greenish brown tepal
s. There are six stamen
s with large anthers. The fruit is a dark brown, shiny capsule. This species of rush has been used historically for basket weaving
by several Native American
peoples of southern California
, such as the Cahuilla
, Kumeyaay
, and Chumash, among others. The rush was valued for its varied colors, from deep red to sun-dried tan; the stems were dyed black with sea plants such as Suaeda
species and yellow with Psorothamnus emoryi
.
Juncus
Juncus is a genus in the plant family Juncaceae. It consists of some 200 to 300 or more species of grassy plants commonly called rushes...
known by the common name basket rush. It is endemic to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it grows along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges of the southern half of the state. This is a rhizomatous
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
perennial herb growing to a maximum height between one and two meters. The stems are cylindrical with faint longitudinal grooves. The leaves lack blades and appear as small brown sheaths around the base of the stems. The long, bushy inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
arises from the side of the stem and splits into long branches bearing clusters of many flowers. Each flower is cupped by small, clear bract
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
lets and has pointed greenish brown tepal
Tepal
Tepals are elements of the perianth, or outer part of a flower, which include the petals or sepals. The term tepal is more often applied specifically when all segments of the perianth are of similar shape and color, or undifferentiated, which is called perigone...
s. There are six stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s with large anthers. The fruit is a dark brown, shiny capsule. This species of rush has been used historically for basket weaving
Basket weaving
Basket weaving is the process of weaving unspun vegetable fibres into a basket or other similar form. People and artists who weave baskets are called basketmakers and basket weavers.Basketry is made from a variety of fibrous or pliable materials•anything that will bend and form a shape...
by several Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
peoples of southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, such as the Cahuilla
Cahuilla
The Cahuilla, Iviatim in their own language, are Indians with a common culture whose ancestors inhabited inland areas of southern California 2,000 years ago. Their original territory included an area of about . The traditional Cahuilla territory was near the geographic center of Southern California...
, Kumeyaay
Kumeyaay
The Kumeyaay, also known as Tipai-Ipai, Kamia, or formerly Diegueño, are Native American people of the extreme southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. They live in the states of California in the US and Baja California in Mexico. In Spanish, the name is commonly spelled...
, and Chumash, among others. The rush was valued for its varied colors, from deep red to sun-dried tan; the stems were dyed black with sea plants such as Suaeda
Suaeda
Suaeda is a genus of plants also known as seepweeds and seablites. Most species are confined to saline or alkaline soil habitats, such as coastal salt-flats and tidal wetlands. Many species have thick, succulent leaves, a characteristic seen in various plant genera that thrive in salty habitats...
species and yellow with Psorothamnus emoryi
Psorothamnus emoryi
Psorothamnus emoryi, syn. Dalea emoryi, common names dyebush, white dalea, or Emory's indigo bush, is a perennial legume shrub or subshrub common to the desert mesas of the southern part of the U.S. states of Arizona and California, and regions of the Mexican state of Baja...
.