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| ## COMMON rush {#common-rush .Title-Header}                           |
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| *Juncus effusus* L.                                                   |
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| Plant Symbol = JUEF                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Common Rush (Juncus
effusus)](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.8570866141732283in"
height="2.798031496062992in"}**Alternate Names**

Soft rush

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

The dense stands that soft rush form have deep fibrous root systems,
which provide very good shoreline protection, filter suspended solids,
up-take nutrients, and facilitate substrate oxidation. With its low pH
and metal tolerances, soft rush often survives polluted conditions. The
seed and vegetative parts of soft rush are utilized by waterfowl,
muskrats, non-game birds, moose and domestic livestock for food or
cover. The stems of this grass-like plant have been traditionally used
for making floor mats, and chair seats.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Juncus* *effusus* is a slow spreading, clump forming, grass-like
perennial which emerges from a stout branching rootstock. The short,
finely divided rhizomes are 6 to 10 inches long, growing from 1/4 to 2
inches beneath the soil surface. The culms are smooth, erect, bright
green and hollow, with reduced basal leaves. New shoots emerge and
develop in late summer, reaching up to 4 feet tall at maturity the
following spring.

The flowers are inconspicuous in compact clusters to 4 inches long. The
flowers emerge and mature from March to September, peaking in July.
Pollination typically occurs by wind, but occasionally it is by insects.
A three celled obovoid capsule develops after fertilization, which
contains many small (.02 to .025 inch long) straw colored seeds. There
are an estimated 18,000,000 seeds per pound. Due to the small size and
tacky outer coating, the seed of *Juncus effusus* can be disseminated by
wind, water or animals. After shatter, seeds may remain viable for
greater than 60 years if over-topped with sediments.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Soft rush is naturally found throughout the temperate and sub-tropical
areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, with the exception of the arid
and high altitude regions. It inhabits fresh to brackish marshes,
swamps, ditches, and moist seasonal wetlands and meadows. Soft rush is
tolerant of diverse site conditions, but thrives in direct sun, finely
textured soils, salinity less than 14ppt., pH from 4.0 to 6.0, and
shallow water (less than 6 inches).

Common rush is distributed throughout most of the United States. For a
current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

*Juncus* *effusus* can be easily grown from seed or vegetative
divisions, but seed dispersal is the primary means of natural
reproduction. For germination to occur seed must be in contact with
moist soil, receive direct sunlight, and over-winter on the soil
surface. As long as moist conditions can be sustained and early
competition reduced, seedlings will develop the following spring.

Nursery and greenhouse production are effectively accomplished with seed
or vegetative divisions. High seedling emergence can be expected under
the controlled environment of the greenhouse. Moist stratification
improves germination of soft rush. Stem divisions (bare root and
containerized) are reliable when planted on adequate sites before
mid-June. Greenhouse produced containerized stock can be ready for field
planting 6 weeks after transplanting. Two year old clumps of soft rush
will yield an average of 80 planting units. A planting unit should
contain 3 to 5 culms. They can be planted by hand or mechanically.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Soils with low content of organics or fines will have good production if
300 to 500 lbs per acre per year of 10-10-10 commercial fertilizer is
applied. Annual draw down periods must be scheduled to maintain
vegetative parts and encourage seedling establishment of soft rush.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Sumter Germplasm soft rush was released as source identified material by
the Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center (GA) in 2008. It can be used in
small constructed wetlands, wetland restoration and riparian buffers.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060801 jsp; 080122 mo & jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060801-jsp-080122-mo-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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