Types of rushes: Rushes of various types, all having slender green stems — Green Star Wetland Plant Farm
Rushes of various types, all having slender green stems — Green Star Wetland Plant Farm
Jointed flatsedge
(Cyperus articulatus)
Jointed flatsedge appears to be one stem, with no branches and no leaves, which gives it a rush-like appearance. It says “pond here”, like cattail, bulrush, or horsetail do, but without the dominating growth habits of those species. In summer, a blonde puff of seedheads appears at the top. Jointed flatsedge prefers full sun, moist soil or occasionally a few inches of standing water.
CYAR, OBL (Obligate)
Squarestem spikerush
(Eleocharis quadrangulata)
Here’s another rapid colonizer which is great for establishing wetlands in several inches of standing water. The stems really do have four concave sides.
Plant broadly and densely to create a beautiful water-filtering marsh.
ELQU, OBL (Obligate)
Horsetail rush
(Equisetum hymenale)
Also known as Scouring rush, the stems contain rough silica and were used to clean pots. Horsetail features evergreen, leafless stems–the same basic design for 300 million years. This plant will gradually colonize so containing them is often suggested.
EQHY, FACW
Common rush
(Juncus effusus)
This clumping 3-6’ tall rush stays nearly evergreen, making it an important foundation to aquatic gardens where many other species go dormant in winter. Another benefit is that nutria tend to pass it up looking for more tasty species.
JUEF, OBL (Obligate)
California Bullrush
(Schoenoplectus californicus)
This perennial fresh-to-slightly-saline marsh plant is in the sedge family.
It’s roots stretch across the southern United States revealing in dark green stands five to ten feet tall. The ‘walls’ of these hollow stemmed monocots are often seen and heard swaying in the wind of shallow waters but can tolerate water several feet deep. As if these grandstands are not enough to wax poetic about, the bronze spikelet inflorescence adds flare in Spring, blooming and fruiting into solitary seeds, duck delicacies. Beneath the surface, this master of erosion control propagates itself by rhizomes that solidify the wetlands where it resides, humming subtly and attracting birds essential to the ecosystem.
Tolerates salinities up to 10.0 ppt
SCCA, OBL
About the Plant Codes
The US Department of Agriculture codes plant species with a “symbol” that begins with the first two letters of the botanical name. Thus the symbol for Delta arrowhead, Sagittaria platyphylla, is SAPL. Wetland Indicator Status is the chance of a species being found in a wetland and non-wetland setting.
The main use is to determine if a community of plants constitutes a wetland, and what the extents of the wetland may be (i.e., wetland delineation). Green Star specializes in OBL, FACW, and FAC species.
Cape May Plants An Identification Guide
What are they?
Rushes are common to abundant and often dominant plants in wetland habitats. Most species form tight clumps of upright stems with
no leaves, but some have a more spreading habit.
Where are they found?
Most species are found in wetland habitats, from damp, grassy fields to permanent swamps, while some species are found in saltmarsh.
A few species occur in dry, sandy fields and woodland clearings.
Identification
Identifying green stems with yellowy brown flowers is not every one’s idea of fun! Rushes can seem daunting at first, but most species
are relatively straight forward if healthy, flowering material is studied.
Soft Rush Juncus effusus
Widespread and common in open, wet areas.
Most common in degraded habitats, such as at Cape May Point State Park where it is increased by over-mowing. Flowers June to August.
Stems are rounded, smooth, unribbed and full of white pith inside.
Common Rush Juncus pylaei
This species has often been considered a subspecies of Soft Rush in the past, so is often not mentioned separately in plant lists for the region. Common
and widespread in damp, usually open, ground. Flowers June to August. The strongly ridged stem readily separates this species from the smooth-stemmed Soft Rush.
Saltmarsh Rush Juncus gerardii
(Black-grass) A dominant species along the drier back edges of saltmarsh, often mixed with Salt-meadow Cord-grass.
Flowers June to August.
Leathery Rush Juncus coriaceus
An uncommon species of wet areas, usually appearing in open rather than shaded habitats. Flowers June to August.
Forked Rush Juncus dichotomus
Widespread in a range of habitats and often in drier soils than most species. Flowers June to August. A clump-forming species with stem usually
extending well above the flower spike.
Slender Rush Juncus tenuis
Widespread and very common in dry fields and along sandy tracks, even in well-walked areas.
Flowers May to September. Often forms dense
mats of plants on dirt paths and trails and then looks like a shiny-leaved grass.
Toad Rush Juncus bufonius
Widespread and very common in all kinds of damp situations, particularly in disturbed areas such as tracks, trails and waste ground. Flowers May to July. Can be very common
on damp, open, peaty ground where it may form a dense, ‘grassy’ carpet. A low, spreading species, often no more than four inches or so high.
Grass-leaved Rush Juncus marginatus
Occasional in wet places.
Flowers late June to August. As the name suggests, the leaves are rather broad and grass-like.
and leaf (right) |
Canadian Rush Juncus canadensis
Widespread and common in most kinds of wetland habitats, including brackish areas of saltmarsh. Flowers July to September.
New Jersey Rush Juncus caesariensis
A scarce wetland plant, found at scattered locations along the eastern seaboard of North America.
Flowers July to September. Very similar to Canadian Rush and easily overlooked where the two might be growing together. New Jersey Rush can be recognized by the rather rough texture to the leaves and stem. Canadian Rush has a very smooth surface.
Brown-fruited Rush Juncus pelocarpus
A plant of damp edges of swamps and ponds. Flowers July to September. A strange species as most plants produce small bulblets instead of flowers, giving the plants a very distinctive look.
Scirpus-like Rush Juncus scirpoides
Uncommon but widely scattered in coastal, sandy wetlands.
Flowers July to August.
Sharp-fruited Rush Juncus acuminatus
A fairly common species of damp hollows and wet ground. Flowers June to September. Similar to Weak Rush but often growing a little taller, with a larger flower head. When in fruit, the tip of the seed head falls about level with the tip of the sepals.
(note cross lines) | than sepals |
Weak Rush Juncus debilis
An uncommon species of wet, sandy places.
Flowers June to October. A small species with rather thin stems and small fruits. When in fruit, the tip of the fruit is longer than the tip of the sepals.
Jointed Rush Juncus articulatus
A common species of well-vegetated wetlands, particularly favoring the fresher back edges of coastal wetlands. Flowers June to August. Leaves are relatively short and curved. Stems have pale bands on them, making the plant look ‘jointed’.
Slim-pod Rush Juncus diffusissimus
Uncommon species of well-vegetated wetlands.
Flowers June to August.
Heath Wood-rush Luzula multiflora
A widespread species found in a wide range of habitats, but most frequently in dry, short-grass areas, including lawns,
golf courses and cemeteries. Flowers late April to June.
male parts ripe | female parts ripe |
Terminology used in weather forecasts and storm warnings
Terminology used in general short range weather forecasts and storm warnings
(in accordance with Guidance document RD 52.
27.724-2009 “Manual on short range general weather forecasts”)
Short-term general weather forecasts indicate the following meteorological quantities (elements): cloudiness, precipitation, wind direction and speed, minimum air temperature at night and maximum temperature during the day (in ˚С), as well as weather phenomena. In table. Tables 1–5 show the terms used in forecasts for various meteorological quantities (elements), weather phenomena and their corresponding quantitative characteristics.
To take into account the specifics of the expected synoptic process and / or the influence of regional features of the territory for which the forecast is made, if the forecasted meteorological values and weather phenomena in certain parts of the territory differ significantly, they are performed by detailing the forecast, applying additional gradations. To distinguish individual parts of the territory, the characteristics of the geographical position are used (west, south, northern half, central regions, right bank, coastal regions, suburbs, etc.
), as well as terrain features (low places, lowlands, valleys, foothills, passes, mountains, etc.). etc.).
Detailing the forecast for a territory or point using additional gradation and the terms “in certain areas” or “in places” is allowed, as a rule, if there is an influence (impact) of atmospheric processes (phenomena) on a mesometeorological scale:
– heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hail, squall associated with the development of intense convection;
– fog and air temperature (including frost in the air and on the ground) due to the influence of terrain features or radiation factors (inflow of solar radiation into the atmosphere and on the earth’s surface, its absorption, scattering, reflection, own radiation of the earth’s surface and atmosphere) .
In order to take into account the influence of radiation factors, it is allowed to detail the air temperature forecast using additional gradation and the terms “during clearings”, “during the intrusion of clouds”.
The use of the terms “in places” or “in separate areas (points)” in a weather forecast implies that the expected weather phenomenon or the value of a meteorological quantity will be confirmed by observational data from no more than 50% of meteorological observation units located in the territory over which made a forecast.
Terms used in cloud forecasts
Table 1
Term | Number of clouds in points |
Clear, clear weather, partly cloudy, partly cloudy weather, partly cloudy, sunny weather | Up to 3 points of mid and/or low clouds or any amount of upper clouds |
Partly cloudy | From 1-3 to 4-7 points of the lower and / or middle tier |
Partly cloudy, partly cloudy | 4-7 low and/or middle cloud points or a combination of middle and low cloudiness up to a total of 7 points |
Cloudy, cloudy, partly cloudy, overcast, overcast | 8-10 points of low clouds or dense, non-translucent forms of clouds of the middle layer |
If a significant change in the amount of cloudiness is expected during half a day, then it is allowed to use two characteristics from the terminology given in Table 1, and also to use the words “decrease” or “increase”.
For example: In the morning partly cloudy, in the afternoon an increase in cloudiness to significant.
Terms used in precipitation forecasts
state), quantity, duration ( recommended but not required). The terms and their corresponding quantitative values for liquid and mixed precipitation are given in Table. 2a, for solid precipitation – in table. 2b.
Table 2a
Term | Amount of precipitation, mm/12 hour |
No precipitation, dry weather | – |
Light rain, light rain, drizzle, drizzle, light precipitation | 0.0-2 |
Rain, rainy weather, precipitation, sleet, sleet; snow turning into rain; rain turning into snow | 3-14 |
Heavy rain, heavy rain (rainstorm), heavy precipitation, heavy sleet, heavy sleet, heavy sleet The same for mudflow areas The same for the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus | 15-49 15-29 30-79 |
Very heavy rain, very heavy precipitation (very heavy sleet, very heavy sleet, very heavy sleet) The same for mudflow areas
The same for the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus Heavy downpour (heavy downpours) The same for the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus | ≥ 50 ≥30 ≥80 ≥30 mm for a period ≤ 1 h ≥50 mm for a period ≤ 1 h |
Table 2b
Term | Amount of precipitation, mm/12 hour |
No precipitation, dry weather | – |
Light snow, light snow | 0. |
Snow, snowfall | 2-5 |
Heavy snow, heavy snowfall | 6-19 |
Very heavy snow, very heavy snowfall | ≥ 20 |
0-1 For a more detailed description of the expected distribution of precipitation over the territory, it is recommended to use additional (usually neighboring) gradations of precipitation in the forecast, it is also possible to use the terms “in separate areas” and “in places”.
For example: In the second half of the day, thunderstorms are expected in the region, in some places heavy showers.
To characterize the type of precipitation (liquid, solid, mixed), the following terms are used: “rain”, “snow”, “precipitation”.
The term “precipitation” can only be used with the obligatory addition of one of the terms given in Table. 3.
Table 3
Term | Mixed precipitation characterization |
Rain and snow | Rain and snow at the same time, but rain prevails |
Wet snow | Snow and rain at the same time, but snow prevails; melting snow |
Snow turning into rain | Snow expected first, then rain |
Rain turning into snow | Rain expected first, then snow |
Snow and rain (rain and snow) | Alternating snow and rain with a predominance of snow (rain) |
For a qualitative description of the duration of precipitation, it is recommended to use the terms given in Table.
4.
Table 4
Term | Total duration of precipitation, hour |
Intermittent rain (snow, sleet, sleet, sleet), snow (sleet) with charges | <3 |
Rain (snow, sleet, sleet, sleet, sleet), continuous rain (snow, sleet, sleet, sleet, sleet), intermittent snow, sleet, sleet, sleet) | >3 |
If the forecasts indicate “slightly cloudy” or “partly cloudy”, the term “clear weather” is allowed not to be used.
Terms used in wind forecasts
Wind direction and speed are indicated in weather forecasts and storm warnings. It is allowed to use the detailed forecast of wind characteristics (direction, speed) by parts of the territory.
The direction of the wind is indicated in quarters of the horizon (where the wind blows from): northeast, south, southwest, etc.). If during half a day a change in wind direction is expected within two adjacent quarters of the horizon, then two adjacent quarters are indicated; if the wind direction is expected to change by more than two-quarters of the horizon, then the term “transitional” is used. H example: 1. The wind is southeast, south.
2. South wind with transition to northwest.
In weather forecasts and storm warnings indicate the maximum wind speed in gusts in meters per second (hereinafter – the maximum wind speed) or the maximum average wind speed if gusts are not expected.
Note: The maximum average wind speed is the highest average wind speed expected in any 10-minute interval during the forecast or storm warning period.
In weather forecasts and storm warnings, wind speed is indicated in gradations with an interval of no more than 5 m/s.
In case of light wind (speed ≤5 m/s), it is allowed not to indicate the direction or to use the term “weak, variable directions”.
If the wind speed is expected to change significantly during half a day, then the indication of these changes is formulated using the terms “weakening” or “strengthening” with the addition of a characteristic of the time of day.
N Example: South wind 3-8 m/s with an increase in the afternoon to 20 m/s (i.e. the maximum wind speed with gusts will reach 15-20 m/s).
When forecasting a squall, wind direction is not indicated. It is recommended to use the terms “squally wind increase up to …. m/s” or “squall up to … m/s” indicating the maximum wind speed.
For example: during a thunderstorm, a squally wind increase up to 20-25 m/s (or a squall up to 25 m/s).
In weather forecasts, in addition to the quantitative value of wind speed, its qualitative characteristic can be used in accordance with Table 5.
Table 5
Qualitative characteristic of wind speed
Wind speed range, m/s
Weak
0-5
Moderate
6-14
Strong
15-24
Very strong
25-32
Hurricane
33 and over
If the predicted wind speed interval can be characterized by two qualitative characteristics, then the characteristic for the upper limit of the interval is used.
17 m/s is included in the speed range of 15-24 m/s.
Terms used in weather forecasts
Weather forecasts should include the following expected weather phenomena: precipitation (rain, snow), thunderstorm, hail, squall, fog, hail ice, frost, sticking (deposition) of sleet on wires (wires) and trees (trees), drifting snow, snowstorm, dust (sand) storm, as well as ice on the roads and snow drifts on the roads.
In weather forecasts, the term “heavy” and for precipitation “very heavy” is used when the event is expected to reach the OH criteria in intensity. In other cases, the characteristics of the intensity of phenomena (“weak” or “moderate”), with the exception of the intensity of precipitation, are allowed not to be indicated.
When forecasting a squall, indicate the maximum wind speed.
In weather forecasts, if necessary, the terms “intensification”, “weakening”, “cessation” are used, indicating the time of day.
Terms used in air temperature forecasts
900 09
anomalous course of 5˚ or more per half day.
The expected minimum and maximum air temperatures are indicated in gradations in the interval for the point 2˚, and for the territory – 5˚.
In forecasts of air temperature for a point or for a separate part of the territory, it is allowed to indicate the air temperature as a single number (for a point – using the preposition “about”, and for a part of the territory – using the preposition “before”). In the first case, we mean the middle of the predicted temperature range for the point, in the second case, its limiting value for the specified part of the territory.
For example: 1. Temperatures up to 20˚ were predicted in the west of the territory. This means that a temperature of 15…20˚ is expected.
2. Air temperature in the city is predicted to be around 20°C. This means that the temperature in the city is expected to be 19…21°
If the expected temperature distribution over the territory does not fit into the interval equal to 5˚, then it is recommended to apply additional temperature gradations, using the detailing of the temperature forecast by parts of the territory.
At the same time, the forecast should indicate the areas where these deviations in air temperature are expected (or the conditions under which they will be observed, for example, “during clearings”).
For example: Temperature at night 1…6˚, during clearings (or in the northern regions) down to -2˚.
If an anomalous change in air temperature is expected, then its highest (lowest) value is indicated, indicating the period of the day when it is forecast.
For example: The temperature in the evening is -10…-12°, in the morning the temperature rises to -2° .
When using the terms “increase” (“warming”) or “decrease” (“cooling”), “intensification (“weakening”) of frost (heat)”, the predicted temperature value can be indicated in one number with the preposition “before”.
If, during the period of active vegetation of agricultural crops or harvesting, values below 0˚ fall into the predicted range of air temperature, then negative values of air temperature are indicated in the weather forecast with the addition of the term “frost”.
The term “freeze” is also used if temperatures below 0˚ are expected at the soil surface.
For example: 1. If the expected air temperature at night is from -2 to +3˚, the temperature forecast is formulated as follows: temperature 0 … 3 °, in some places (in the east, in the north, in low places) frosts down to -2 °.
. down to -2°.
If the value of the maximum (minimum) temperature in HH gradations is expected, then the term “severe heat” (“severe frost”) is used in the forecast.
Definitions
Hazardous meteorological phenomena damaging effect on people, farm animals and plants, economic facilities and the environment.
The strength of the wind. Beaufort scale
Beaufort scale – a conditional scale for visual assessment of the strength (speed) of the wind in points according to its effect on ground objects or on waves at sea.
It was developed by the English Admiral F. Beaufort in 1806 and at first was used only by himself. In 1874, the Standing Committee of the First Meteorological Congress adopted the Beaufort scale for use in international synoptic practice. In subsequent years, the scale has changed and refined. The Beaufort scale is widely used in marine navigation.
Beaufort ground wind strength | ||||
| Beaufort points | Verbal definition of wind force | Wind speed, m/s | Wind action | |
| land | offshore | |||
| 0 | Calm | 0-0. 2 | Calm. Smoke rises vertically | Mirror-smooth sea |
| 1 | Quiet | 0.3-1.5 | The direction of the wind can be seen from the drift of the smoke, but not from the wind vane | Ripples, no foam on the ridges |
| 2 | Lightweight | 1.6-3.3 | The movement of the wind is felt by the face, the leaves rustle, the weather vane is set in motion | Short waves, crests do not tip over and appear glassy |
| 3 | Weak | 3.4-5.4 | Leaves and thin branches of trees sway all the time, the wind blows the top flags | Short, well defined waves. The combs tip over and form a glassy foam, occasionally forming small white lambs |
| 4 | Moderate | 5. 5-7.9 | The wind raises dust and papers, sets in motion the thin branches of trees | The waves are elongated, white lambs are visible in many places |
| 5 | Fresh | 8.0-10.7 | Thin tree trunks sway, crested waves appear on the water | Well developed in length, but not very large waves, white lambs are visible everywhere (splashes form in some cases) |
| 6 | Strong | 10.8-13.8 | Thick branches of trees sway, telegraph wires hum | Large waves begin to form. White frothy ridges occupy large areas (probable splashing) |
| 7 | Strong | 13.9-17.1 | Tree trunks sway, it is difficult to go against the wind | Waves pile up, crests break, foam falls in stripes downwind |
| 8 | Very strong | 17. 2-20.7 | The wind breaks the branches of trees, it is very difficult to go against the wind | Moderately high long waves. On the edges of the ridges, spray begins to take off. Foam strips lay down in rows in the direction of the wind |
| 9 | Storm | 20.8-24.4 | Minor damage; wind blows off smoke domes and roof tiles | High waves. Foam in wide dense stripes lays down in the wind. The crests of the waves begin to capsize and crumble into spray that impairs visibility |
| 10 | Strong storm | 24.5-28.4 | Significant destruction of buildings, trees uprooted. Rare on land | Very high waves with long downward curved crests. The resulting foam is blown by the wind in large flakes in the form of thick white stripes. |