Juncus effusus Juncus effusus L.
Soft Rush, Common Rush
Soft or common rush is native to Eurasia, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The attractive-looking clumps are sometimes used in landscaping. Identification: Soft rush reaches 24-48" (60-121 cm) in height, growing in clumps (“tussocks”) 24-48" (60-121 cm) around. They are at home in acidic, wet soils, such as pond or swamp edges. Individual stems resemble grass from a distance, but up close, they are smooth and round, filled with a light pith, and soft to the touch. At the base of each stem there is a dark ”basal sheath” 2-3" (5-7.6 cm) long. The most notable characteristic is the flower clusters, which stick out sideways from partway up the stem, looking rather lopsided. Actually, the flowers are at the stem tips, but a bract (specialized leaf) continues upward, looking like a continuation of the stem. Tiny, barely noticeable flowers are yellowish-green to pale brown. Online References:
Juncus effusus at Illinois Wildflowers Juncus effusus on CalPhotos Juncus effusus on floridata.com Juncus effusus on Perry’s Perennial Pages at the University of Vermont Juncus effusus on the USDA Plants Database Juncus effusus at the Missouri Botanical Garden Juncus effusus on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants Juncus effusus from the Jepson Manual Juncus effusus on eFloras 6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, MA 6/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA 6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, MA Juncus effusus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 12 Oct 2018. © FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved. |
6/29/2014 · Mount Agamenticus, York, ME 6/22/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, MA 6/8/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, MA 6/22/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, MA 6/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA Range: Zones 4-9:
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