| Juncus effusus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Juncaceae |
| Genus: | Juncus |
| Species: | J. effusus |
| Binomial name | |
| Juncus effusus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
List
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Juncus effusus is a perennial herbaceousflowering plant species in the rush familyJuncaceae, with the common namescommon rush orsoft rush. In North America, the common name soft rush also refers toJuncus interior.
Juncus effusus has a wide distribution, considered native inEurope,Asia,Africa,Madagascar,North America, andSouth America. It has naturalized inAustralia,New Zealand,South Africa and various oceanic islands.[1]
It grows in wet areas, such aswetlands,riparian areas, andmarshes with sandy and peaty substrates. It is common throughout theBritish Isles by rivers, streams and lakes, in wet heathland and pastures,[2] includingpurple moor-grass and rush pastures andfen-meadowplant associations.[3]
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Juncus effusus grows in large clumps up to about 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) tall.[4]: 984 The stems are smooth cylinders with lightpith filling. The yellowishinflorescence appears to emerge from one side of the stem about 20 centimetres (8 in) from the top. In fact the stem ends there; the top part is thebract, that continues with only a slight colour-band marking it from the stem. The lower leaves are reduced to a brown sheath at the bottom of the stem.
Fivesubspecies are currently recognized:[1]
Juncus effusus can be differentiated from the rarerJuncus pylaei by the number of ridges on the stem.Juncus effusus has 30 to 40 ridges andJ. pylaei has 10 to 20.[11]
The species provides wildfowl, wader feeding, and nestinghabitats, and also habitats for small mammals. The rootstalks are eaten bymuskrats, and birds take shelter amongst the plant's stems. A number of invertebrates feed on soft rush, including therufous minor moth.[12]
Juncus effusus is one of the seven ingredients ofhui sup tea (去濕茶).[citation needed] InJapan, this rush is calledigusa (藺草) and is grown to bewoven into the covering oftatami mats (the filling is rice straw,extruded styrofoam,chip board, or some combination).[13] InIran andAfghanistan too it is used to weave light cheap mats.[citation needed] It is called halfa (حلفا) and has medicinal uses too. In Europe, this rush was once used to makerushlights (by soaking the pith in grease), a cheap alternative tocandles.
The species is cultivated as anornamental plant, for planting inwater gardens,native plant andwildlife gardens, and for larger designednatural landscaping andhabitat restoration projects.
The cultivarJuncus effusus 'Spiralis' (syn.Juncus spiralis), with the common names corkscrew rush or spiral rush, is a distinctive potted and water garden plant due to its very curled spiral like foliage.[14]
Juncus effusus can become anaturalized orinvasive species, undesirable in rangelands for its unpalatability to livestock. Suggested methods of controlling rushes include: ploughing; high applications of inorganic fertilizer (can pollute watersheds); andtopping to prevent seed formation.
Juncusol is a 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene found inJ. effusus.[15][16] The plant also containseffusol[17] anddehydroeffusol.[18]
Media related toJuncus effusus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toJuncus effusus at Wikispecies| National | |
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