Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'

Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'
Details
Species	Juncus effusus
Cultivar	'Spiralis'

Juncus effusus 'Spiralis', the corkscrew rush (sometimes referred to as Juncus spiralis), is a perennial plant with green spiraling stems. It is a cultivar of the soft rush, Juncus effusus.

Description

Plants grow to 45 cm high.^[1] The young, leafless stems are light green and coiled, the coils becoming looser with age.^[2] Plants grow in both a horizontal and vertical direction. By winter, stems become a yellow-brown or tan colour. Flowers are both rare and insignificant in terms of the plants appearance. They are yellow-green or light brown.^[3]

Origin and name

The origin of the cultivar is uncertain, though Japan is thought to be a possibility. The cultivar has also been referred to as Juncus effusus f. spiralis and Scirpus lacustris 'Spiralis'. In the United States the cultivar is often confused with Juncus balticus 'Spiralis'. ^[4]

Culivation

The culivar is often grown as a novelty plant due to its unusual form. It prefers a situation in sun or partial shade and acidic soil.^[5][6] Plants require permanent water, ideally between 5 and 10 cm deep, or continual irrigation. In ground containers are sometimes used to contain spread. The cultivar is relatively free of pest or diseases, but is susceptible to drought stress.^[7] Plants are maintained by the removal of old stems in spring.^[6] In North America they are able to be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 and higher.^[3][1] It is suited to container cultivation and can be used as a houseplant.^[7][8] It can be grown on the edge of waterbodies to help control erosion. Propagation is by division of plants during the active growing phase of the plant.^[6] Stems are used in floral arrangements.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Nash, Helen; Steve Stroupe. Complete Guide to Water Garden Plants. New York: Sterling Publishing Company. p. 195. ISBN 9781402709548. 
2. ^ Aker, Scott et al (2005). Better Homes and Gardens New Garden Book. Des Moines, Iowa: Meredith Books. p. 496. ISBN 978-0696025570. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Juncus effusus f. spiralis". Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=V930. Retrieved 16 July 2011. 
4. ^ Speichert, C. Greg; Sue Speichert (2004). Encyclopedia of water garden plants. Portland: Timber Press. p. 204. ISBN 9780881926255. 
5. ^ Arnold, Michael A. (2006). "Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'". http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/608/Lists/second%20ed/JuncuseffususSpiralis.pdf. Retrieved 16 July 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} "Juncus effusus f. spiralis". Royal Horticultural Society. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1068. Retrieved 16 July 2011. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Rogers, Ray; Rob Cardillo (2010). The encyclopedia of container plants : more than 500 outstanding choices for gardeners. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN 9780881929621. 
8. ^ Urban, Shelly. "corkscrew rush". Super Floral Retailing. http://www.superfloralretailing.com/june2008/pdf/FPOM_0608.pdf. Retrieved 16 July 2011.