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Juncus effusus - L.

Common Name Soft Rush, Common rush, Lamp rush, Pacific rush
Family Juncaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Possibly toxic to mammals[76].
Habitats Wet pastures, bogs, damp woods etc, usually on acid soils[17].
Range Throughout the northern temperate zone, including Britain, east and south Africa, Australasia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Juncus effusus Soft Rush, Common rush, Lamp rush,  Pacific rush


Juncus effusus Soft Rush, Common rush, Lamp rush,  Pacific rush

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Juncus effusus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

J. communis effusus.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Meadow; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - raw[118, 257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic  Depurative  Diuretic  Febrifuge  Lenitive  Lithontripic  Pectoral  Sedative  
Urinary

The pith of the stem is antiphlogistic, depurative, discutient, diuretic, febrifuge, lenitive, lithontripic, pectoral and sedative[147, 176, 178, 218, 240]. It is used in the treatment of sore throats, jaundice, oedema, acute urinary tract infection and morbid crying of babies[176].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Lighting  Paper  Strewing  String  Thatching  Weaving

Stems are used in basket making, thatching, weaving mats etc[23, 46, 66, 99, 115, 171]. The stems can also be dried then twisted or braided into ropes for tying or binding[257]. Stems can be peeled (except for a small spine which is left to keep them upright) and soaked in oil then used as a candle[6, 46, 61, 115]. A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making paper[189]. The stems are harvested in late summer or autumn, they are split and cut into usable pieces and then soaked for 24 hours in clear water. They are then cooked for 2 hours with lye and beaten in a blender. The fibres make an off-white paper[189]. When mixed with mulberry fibres they can be used for making stencil paper[189]. The whole plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[1, 66, 115].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moist soil, bog garden or shallow water[1, 200]. Prefers a heavy soil in sun or light shade[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow in pots in a cold frame in early spring and keep the compost moist. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently, otherwise in late spring of the following year. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Juncus acutusSharp Rush, Spiny rush, Leopold's rushPerennial1.5 0-0  LMHSNMWeWa001
Juncus balticusBaltic RushPerennial1.0 3-7 FMHSNMWeWa101
Juncus conglomeratusCommon rushPerennial1.5 0-0  MHSNMWeWa002
Juncus dudleyiDudley's RushPerennial0.2 -  MHSNMWe002
Juncus inflexusHard Rush, European meadow rushPerennial0.0 4-8  MHSNMWeWa002
Juncus procerus Perennial0.0 -  MHSNMWeWa002
Juncus tenuisPoverty RushPerennial0.3 0-0  MHSNMWe011

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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