New Jersey rush (Juncus caesariensis) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9

Special Significance of the Species

The Nova Scotia populations of New Jersey Rush are considerably disjunct from the other populations in the United States. They are also at the northern limit of this species’ range. Although not yet demonstrated, the gene pool of the Canadian populations may be distinct from the more southern ones in the USA and therefore of significance in terms of the species’ adaptability to environmental or climatic changes.

In Nova Scotia, New Jersey Rush is not subject to the same development pressures as some of the more southern populations. The Nova Scotia and New Jersey populations may serve as global refugia if populations are lost over the rest of the species’ range.

Juncus caesariensis is a member of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora. Species that make up this floral element are concentrated primarily on the coastal plain in the eastern United States with disjunct populations in Nova Scotia and the Great Lakes region. Many Atlantic Coastal Plain species are at risk globally due to loss and degradaton of habitat in the United States. In Nova Scotia, the majority of the globally rare species are based in the southwestern part of the province. New Jersey Rush is the exception occurring further north on the coastal plain of eastern Cape Breton Island. This unique distribution may be of bio-geographical significance

New Jersey Rush has little known economic importance. Some Juncus species are used as ornamentals (Lawrence, 1951; Bailey, 1924) or used in the production of woven matting, hats and chair seats (Lawrence, 1951). Pith of some species has been used in the production of candlewicks (Lawrence, 1951). Roots have been used to treat skin infections in Colombia (Mabberley, 1989).

Seeds, stems and roots of Juncus spp. are reported to be eaten by moose, deer, muskrats and birds (Fassett, 1957).

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