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Juncus acutus - L.

Common Name Sharp Rush, Spiny rush, Leopold's rush
Family Juncaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, there is a report that one member of this genus is possibly toxic to mammals[76]..
Habitats Sandy sea shores and dune slacks, occasionally in salt marshes[17].
Range Southern Europe, including Britain, south and east from France to N. Africa and Macronesia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Juncus acutus Sharp Rush, 	Spiny rush,  Leopold


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juncus_acutus-Host.png
Juncus acutus Sharp Rush, 	Spiny rush,  Leopold
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Esculapio

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Juncus acutus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). It is in flower in June. 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, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Thatching  Weaving

The stems are used in making woven baskets, thatching, weaving mats etc[46, 61, 257].

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:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Kuwait, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Arizona (south), California (south), Nevada), Mexico (Baja California (Norte, Puebla) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Bermuda, Brazil (south), Argentina, Chile, Uruguay EUROPE: United Kingdom, Ireland, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Cabo Verde, Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Azores, Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa (Cape Province, Free State)

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 balticusBaltic RushPerennial1.0 3-7 FMHSNMWeWa101
Juncus conglomeratusCommon rushPerennial1.5 0-0  MHSNMWeWa002
Juncus dudleyiDudley's RushPerennial0.2 -  MHSNMWe002
Juncus effususSoft Rush, Common rush, Lamp rush, Pacific rushPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNMWeWa122
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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