Species of flowering plant in the rush family Juncaceae
\"Common rush\" redirects here. For the plant known as common rush in Australia and New Zealand, see Juncus usitatus.
Kingdom:
Plantae
Clade:
Tracheophytes
Clade:
Angiosperms
Clade:
Monocots
Clade:
Commelinids
Order:
Poales
Family:
Juncaceae
Genus:
Juncus
Species:
J. effusus
Juncus effusus
L.
List
Juncus communis subsp. effusus (L.) Čelak.
Juncus communis proles effusus (L.) Rouy
Juncus communis var. effusus (L.) E.Mey.
Juncus conglomeratus var. effusus (L.) Kostel.
Juncus laevis Wallr.
Juncus laevis var. effusus (L.) Wallr.
Juncus effusus laxiflorusCout.
Juncus effusus var. oblongicarpus Vayr.
Juncus effusus is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant species in the rush family Juncaceae, with the common names common rush or soft rush. In North America, the common name soft rush also refers to Juncus interior.
The species provides wildfowl, wader feeding, and nesting habitats, and also habitats for small mammals. The rootstalks are eaten by muskrats, and birds take shelter amongst the plant\'s stems. A number of invertebrates feed on soft rush, including the rufous minor moth.
Humans
Juncus effusus is one of the seven ingredients of hui sup tea (去濕茶). In Japan, this rush is called igusa (藺草) and is grown to be woven into the covering of tatami mats (the filling is rice straw, extruded styrofoam, chip board, or some combination). In Iran and Afghanistan too it is used to weave light cheap mats. It is called halfa (حلفا) and has medicinal uses too. In Europe, this rush was once used to make rushlights (by soaking the pith in grease), a cheap alternative to candles.
Cultivation
The species is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for planting in water gardens, native plant and wildlife gardens, and for larger designed natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects.
The cultivar Juncus 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.
Weed control
Juncus effusus can become a naturalized or invasive species, undesirable in rangelands for its unpalatability to livestock. Suggested methods of controlling rushes include: ploughing; high applications of inorganic fertilizer (can pollute watersheds); and topping to prevent seed formation.
Chemistry
Juncusol is a 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene found in J. effusus. The plant also contains effusol and dehydroeffusol.
