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Summary

Physical Characteristics

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

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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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Juncus acutus	Sharp Rush, Spiny rush, Leopold's rush	Perennial	1.5	0-0		LMH	SN	MWeWa	0	0	1
Juncus balticus	Baltic Rush	Perennial	1.0	3-7	F	MH	SN	MWeWa	1	0	1
Juncus conglomeratus	Common rush	Perennial	1.5	0-0		MH	SN	MWeWa	0	0	2
Juncus dudleyi	Dudley's Rush	Perennial	0.2	-		MH	SN	MWe	0	0	2
Juncus inflexus	Hard Rush, European meadow rush	Perennial	0.0	4-8		MH	SN	MWeWa	0	0	2
Juncus procerus		Perennial	0.0	-		MH	SN	MWeWa	0	0	2
Juncus tenuis	Poverty Rush	Perennial	0.3	0-0		MH	SN	MWe	0	1	1

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.

Juncus effusus - L.