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Juncus balticus - Willd.

Common Name Baltic Rush
Family Juncaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
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 Damp to wet soils, usually in saline conditions[212].
Range N. Europe, Northern N. America, N. Asia in boreal areas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Juncus balticus Baltic Rush


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juncus_balticus_Sturm7.jpg
Juncus balticus Baltic Rush

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Juncus balticus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. 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: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Drink  Sweetener

A sugar forms along the top of the plant. This can be gathered and eaten as candy[257]. Seed[257]. No more details are given but the seed is very small[K]. The stems are used to make a fermented drink[257].

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

Weaving

The stems are used in making woven baskets, thatching, weaving mats etc[212, 257]. The basal portions of the stems have been used as a light yellow-brown decoration on baskets[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]. Plants can form large clumps and spread aggressively at the roots[200, 212].

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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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

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), Greenland (south), United States (Alaska, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russian Federation (Karelia, Arkhangelsk)

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 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

Willd.

Botanical References

1750200

Links / References

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