- Soft rush
Taxobox
name = Soft rush
image_width = 240px
image_caption = Soft rush by a stream
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Liliopsida
ordo =Poales
familia =Juncaceae
genus = "Juncus "
species = "J. effusus"
binomial = "Juncus effusus"
binomial_authority = L.Soft rush ("Juncus effusus") is a member of the
Juncus genus found growing in wet areas.Description
It grows in large clumps about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall at the water’s edge along streams and ditches, but can be invasive anywhere with moist soil. It is commonly found growing in humus-rich areas like marshes, ditches, fens, and beaver dams.
The stems are smooth cylinders with light
pith filling. The yellowishinflorescence appears to emerge from one side of the stem about 20 cm 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.Distinction from other species
J. effusus can be confused with the rarer J. pylaei by the number of ridges on the stem. J. effusus has 30 to 40 ridges and J. pylaei has 10 to 20 [cite journal|author=Morton, J.K. and Venn, Joan. M.|date=2000|title=The Flora of Manitoulin Island|volume=3rd edition|source=University of Waterloo Biology Series n. 40.]
Distribution
It is a common plant native in most
temperate countries.Uses
In Japan this rush is grown to be woven into the covering of
tatami mats.References
* Zika, Peter F., "The native subspecies of Juncus effusus (Juncaceae) in western North America", April 2003, Brittonia pages 150–156.
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