The Sea Rush, is-simar tal-baħar, is one of the characteristic plants found in our saline marshlands, an area formed at the interface between marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.
This plant has a wide distribution worldwide and bears the scientific name of Juncus maritimus. The term Juncus derives from the Latin word jungere which means “to join” – probably referring to the role these rushes had in rope and band making; while maritimus refers to its occurrence close to marine areas.
This medium perennial grass, which may grow to a height of around one metre, bears strong and erect cylindrical stems having a leafy base. Its narrow pointed leaves are sheathed at their base and generally shorter than the stems.
In the early summer the small and insignificant flowers, which are greenish or pale yellow, usually appear. These are radially symmetrical and are borne on an irregular branched inflorescence at the top of the stems. Its fruits consist of a non-fleshy capsule containing many seeds. Unfortunately, the Sea Rush has a restricted distribution on our islands and is considered to be a very rare species. Nevertheless, it appears to have been commoner in the past, and leaves of this species, as well as other of rush species, were apparently used in basketry.
Salt marshes dominated by Sea Rush are considered to be a habitat of importance at European level and are thus protected both at regional and national level. According to a study commissioned by Mepa this type of habitat has a bad conservation status in our islands and in order to help safeguard this species and its habitat the authority has designated a number of special areas of conservation.
More information may be obtained by e-mail: nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.