Frog Rush - Juncus ranarius

Frog Rush is a small rush which usually forms prostrate rosettes. Single stems grow up to about 5 cm or so. Quite characteristic are the shape of the perianth leaves of the flowers: the outer 3 are distinctly longer than the inner 3. Both have membranous margins.

It is most likely to be confused with Juncus bufonius but plants for closer examination can be picked out in the field by the distinctive light brown colour and small clusters of fruits (rather than all flowers spaced out). The best character is the combination of the big blunt fruit and the short blunt inner tepals.

Lake margins, saline marshes, often on bare ground.

Flowering June to October.

Annual.

Formerly mainly coastal in Britain but now seems to be spreading inland.

Rare, but possibly increasing in Leicestershire and Rutland. It was not recorded in the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire.