Identifying Rushes and Woodrushes 

To many botanists, rushes can be confusing, and it can be hard to separate similar looking species from each other.

The flowers of rushes and woodrushes are small, but with care their floral parts are soon recognised and these along with vegetative features make them readily identifiable.

By observing those characters which help identify each species we will be able to understand why a species is what it is; in time we will also learn short-cuts as to how to recognise individual species.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Understand the floral and vegetative characters that comprise the Juncaceae.
• Recognise the major characters of the Genus Juncus and Luzula, as well as many species and the characters that define them.
• Utilise botanical keys to identify a range of species.

Who Should Attend? – This course is for adults 18+ (see FAQs). Amateur and professional botanists/naturalists/ecologists, Local Authority ecologists, ecological consultants, conservation officers and staff within SNCOs and NGOs, students, environmental managers, land managers, wardens and rangers.

Knowledge Level – Beginner to Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following webpage: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior Knowledge – No existing knowledge or experience is essential, but attendees will gain the most from this course if they have some prior understanding of the parts of a plants and associated terminology, have used a key (not necessarily botanical), and have some prior knowledge of UK flora. Field Identification Skills Certificate levels 2 and above.

PLEASE NOTE: If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. Please see the ‘What’s Included’ section for information on accommodation and meals options.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Mark Duffell

Mark Duffell is an experienced botanist with a lifetime’s interest in plants. He currently splits his time between running Arvensis Ecology (conducting botanical surveys and teaching botanical identification to undergraduate and postgraduate University students, consultants and environmental organisations) and has worked as a Lecturer with MMU on their MSc in ‘Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring’.

This timetable is subject to change but should give a clear outline of what to expect.

• • Please arrive in time for the course to start promptly at 10:00

• The course will end at 17:00

Morning: Presentation and workshop on the Juncaceae, why it’s important within the British Flora and an introduction on the basic botanical structures and terminology applicable to this family.

Afternoon: Looking at specimens and keying them out (indoors/outdoors).

Lunch break and breaks as required – lunch and accommodation are not included. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided.

• 
  Expert Tuition

The course includes:

• • Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
  • Field excursions to apply new knowledge
  • Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
  • Clear objectives and progression
  • Refreshments (tea and coffee)

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Accommodation and meal options

We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

For some course runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. Please email [email protected] to enquire about availability.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, find out more here.

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.

We should have plenty of books within the classroom, but please feel free to bring along your own copies (see below for suggested books). Likewise see below for course-specific equipment to bring.

If you have any specimens you don’t know, then bring them along and we can tackle them together.

Please Bring:

• Notebook and pencil
• Your preferred botanical identification books and guides
• Please bring your own refreshments & lunch
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors

If you have them:

• Hand lens (x20 if possible)
• Dissecting kit (scalpel and forceps)

If you do not have these, you will be able to borrow these for the course.

Recommended Literature

• Poland & Clement. 2010. The Vegetative Key to the British Flora.
• Stace. 2019. New Flora of the British Isles by Stace (4th ed.)
• Streeter. 2016. Collins Wild Flower Guide.

Useful Field Studies Council Publications

• Rushes WildID Guide