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Juncus effusus

Phonetic Spelling
JUN-kus eff-YOO-sus
Description

This wetland perennial grass is generally known by many names such as common rush, mat rush or soft rush.  It is found in bogs, marshes and swamps and is native over large portions of temperate climates of the world.  Varieties can be found throughout the United States except for South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah.  The variety in NC is Juncus effusus spp. solutus. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade.  They require consistently moist soil so they will grow in pots and as house plants. They can be grown in 1-2 gallon containers with no more than 3 - 5 inches of water over the crown.  Spreading and propagation are by division of the rhizomes and self-seeding which can be difficult to control  Planting the rhizomes in in-ground pots with the lip above ground can help limit the spread.  In zones with warm winters they can remain evergreen.  In cooler climes, the foliage becomes yellow, then brown in fall to winter dying back to the ground. Juncus effusus has no leaves, but the stems are attractive upright, cylindrical green and smooth from 12 - 36 inches in height and spreading in clumps.  The late summer-blooming flowers are yellowish-green to brown in many-flowered cymes with an obovoid capsule following as fruit.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Floricyle
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Spiralis'
Tags:
#water garden#piedmont#riparian#wetlands#ncemgva2018#NC native#swamps#native garden#mountains#native ornamental grass#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains FACW#garden walls#rushes#native rush#coastal plant#perennial#boggy sites#perennial grass#collier preserve tn
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Spiralis'
Tags:
#water garden#piedmont#riparian#wetlands#ncemgva2018#NC native#swamps#native garden#mountains#native ornamental grass#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains FACW#garden walls#rushes#native rush#coastal plant#perennial#boggy sites#perennial grass#collier preserve tn
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juncus
    Species:
    effusus
    Family:
    Juncaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    bogs, wetlands
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America, W. South America, Eurasia,
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Water Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    spikey irregular yellowish-green to brown many-flowered cyme Small scaly flowers from July to September.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    bladeless green basal sheaths surrounding stems
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Upright, cylindrical spire
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent