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| ## soft rush {#soft-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 National Plant Data Center

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#### Alternate Names

Common rush. There are several taxonomic varieties of this species.

#### Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: Coiled basketry prevails in Southern California, with
the mottled yellowish brown of soft rush providing a natural colored and
variegated background (Turnbaugh and Turnbaugh 1986). *Juncus* stems are
used in the coiled baskets of Southern California tribes such as the
Cahuilla, Luiseño, Chumash, Diegueño, Agua Caliente, Gabrieliño,
Juaneño, Death Valley Shoshone, and Fernandeno (Barrows 1967; Murphey
1959). The foundation material is made of *Juncus balticus* and *Juncus
effusus*, and the sewing material is made of *Juncus textilis.* The
Quinalt of western Washington used soft rush for plaiting tumplines for
baskets (Gunther 1973). They also mixed soft rush with cattails to make
string. The Snoqualmie used the stalks for tying things.

The early sprouts of soft rush were sometimes eaten raw by the
Snoqualmie of Washington (Gunther 1973). *Juncus* shoots were eaten raw,
roasted in ashes, or boiled by Maidu, Luiseño, and others (Strike 1994).
Owens Valley Paiute ate the seeds. Soft rush stalks were gathered in
wetlands and were eaten on occasion by the Nlaka\'pamux and Lillooet
people of British Columbia (Kunlein and Turner 1991).

Soft rush, also called candle rush by the Japanese, is used for tatami
mats. Large mats were also made by

California Indians by piercing holes in *Juncus* and threading cordage
through the holes so the *Juncus* stalks were aligned side-by-side
(Strike 1994). These flexible mats could be rolled and stored when not
needed.

*Wildlife*: A wide range of mammal and avian species depend on *Juncus
species* for food and habitat (Hoag and Zierke 1998). Waterfowl,
songbirds, and small mammals such as jack rabbits, cottontail, muskrat,
porcupine, and gophers (Martin 1951) eat rush seeds. Rushes provide
habitat for amphibians and spawning areas for fish. Muskrats feed on the
rootstalks of soft rush, and various wetland wading birds find shelter
among the stems.

*Livestock*: Cattle will graze *Juncus effusus* late in the season after
more palatable plants are eaten. Rushes tend to be resistant to grazing
pressure and fairly unpalatable to cattle, so tend to increase in
species composition in pastures.

*Erosion & Restoration*: Rushes provide the following conservation uses:
erosion control, sediment accretion and stabilization, nutrient uptake
and transformation, wildlife food and cover, restoration and creation of
wetland ecosystems, and wastewater treatment applications (constructed
wetlands). The rhizomatous nature, nitrogen fixation capabilities, dense
root system, and phenotypic plasticity to flooding and drought stress
provide high soil and slope stabilization capabilities, particularly in
areas with flooded soils or fluctuating hydrology. The rhizomes form a
matrix for many beneficial bacteria, making this plant an excellent
addition for wastewater treatment. This species can have invasive
characteristics in certain situations.

#### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

#### Description

*General*: Rush Family (Juncaceae). Soft rush is a rhizomatous,
perennial herb with a large, tufted, cespitose growth form. *Juncus*
*effusus* stems are stout but soft, 5-15 dm tall and 1.5-3 mm wide. The
basal sheaths are bladeless or the inner ones tipped with a short awn,
the edges usually overlapping nearly to the subtruncate or emarginate
tip, with the veins converging at the tip. The leaves are dull chocolate
brown or chestnut-colored at the base, the inner sheaths dark toward the
summit. The inflorescence is a many-flowered, loosely clustered panicle,
2- 10 cm long. The capsule is oblong-obovoid, of about the same length
as the perianth, and obtuse or retuse. The seeds are linear-oblong to
elliptic, reticulate and amber in color .

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Soft rush occurs
in wet places on hillsides or valley flats below 2500 m. It occurs
through California to British Columbia, the eastern United States,
Mexico, and Eurasia.

#### Establishment

*Juncus effusus* is easily propagated from bare root stock or seedlings,
from container stalk, or directly seeded into the soil. Bare root stock
or seedlings are preferred revegetation methods where there is moving
water. [These plants can be invasive]{.underline}. They are useful for
stabilization and revegetation of disturbed areas. *Juncus effusus*
requires moderate summer watering (irrigation), generally 1 - 4 times
per month depending on the absorption rate and water retention capacity
of the soil. Salt rush plants may need to have their roots in moist or
wet soils. These native plants are especially good for stabilizing or
restoring disturbed or degraded areas for erosion and slope control.

*Live Plant Collections*: The following information on *Juncus balticus*
is provided by J. Chris Hoag and Mike Zierke (USDA, NRCS, Plant
Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho). Due to their taxonomic and habitat
similarity, it is likely that *Juncus effusus* establishes in a similar
manner.

-   Planting plugs is the surest way to establish a new stand of this
    species. Plug spacing of 25-30 cm will fill in within one growing
    season. Fluctuating the water level during the establishment period
    may speed spread of *Juncus*. Water levels can be managed to enhance
    spread and control weeds.

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-   Clip leaves and stems to 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches) before
    planting; this allows the plant to allocate more energy into root
    production. Transplants should be planted as soon as possible in
    moist (not flooded or anoxic) soils. Plants should be transported
    and stored in a cool location prior to planting. The roots should
    always remain moist or in water until planted.

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-   Soil should be kept saturated after planting. Plants can tolerate
    2.5 - 8 cm of standing water as long as the level fluctuates over
    the growing season. Allow roots to become established before
    flooding soils if possible.

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-   Ideally, plants should be planted in late fall just after the first
    rains (usually late October to November). Survival is highest when
    plants are dormant and soils are moist.

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-   Fertilization is very helpful for plant growth and reproduction.
    Many more seeds are produced with moderate fertilization.

*Seed Collections*: The flowering period is late May to August,
occasionally to September. Seed ripens in early August. Phenology will
change by area, aspect, elevation, and specific site conditions.

-   Seed may be collected by hand, using a pair of hand shears, or with
    a gas-powered handheld seed harvester.

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-   The tiny, black seeds are easily lost from the capsules when
    collecting by hand. Be careful to keep capsules upright before
    putting in collection bag. Use paper sacks when collecting seeds for
    this species.

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-   To clean the seed, run the collection through a hammermill to break
    up debris and knock the seeds loose. Use a 1/20 inch screen on the
    top and a solid sheet on the bottom of the seed cleaner. Adjust the
    air flow to blow off the chaff. The cleaning process can be speeded
    up by shaking the hammermilled collection to settle seed to the
    bottom of the pan. The top portion of the chaff can then be
    discarded and the seed-rich mixture that is left in the bottom can
    be run through the seed cleaner.

*Seed germination in greenhouse*:

-   Seeds need light, moisture and heat for germination. Soaking the
    seeds in water for 1 - 7 days will decrease the time the seed takes
    to sprout.

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-   To grow seeds, place on soil surface and press in lightly to assure
    good soil contact. Do not cover the seed. Soil should be kept moist.
    Greenhouse should be kept hot (32-38°C).

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-   Seeds begin to germinate in approximately 1 week. Maintain soil
    moisture until plants are to be transplanted. Seedlings cannot
    withstand long periods without water while growing in the
    greenhouse.

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-   Plants are ready in 100 - 120 days to come out as plugs. By planting
    seeds in August, plugs are ready to plant in soil by November. These
    plants are very small; growing plants to a larger size will result
    in increased revegetation success.

#### Management

Hydrology is the most important factor in determining wetland type,
revegetation success, and wetland function and value. Changes in water
levels influence species composition, structure, and distribution of
plant communities. Water management is absolutely critical during plant
establishment, and remains crucial through the life of the wetland for
proper community management (Hoag et al. 1995). *Juncus* species can
tolerate periods of drought and total inundation. It is important to
keep transplanted plugs moist, not flooded, until roots are established.
Water levels can then be managed to enhance or reduce spread as well as
control terrestrial weeds.

Muskrats have evolved with wetland ecosystems and form a valuable
component of healthy functioning wetland communities. Muskrats use
emergent wetland vegetation such as *Juncus* species for hut
construction and for food. Typically, an area of open water is created
around the huts. Muskrat eatouts increase wetland diversity by providing
opportunities for aquatic vegetation to become established in the open
water and the huts provide a substrate for shrubs and other plant
species.

*Juncus* species tend to be fairly resilient to insect and disease
problems. Aphids may feed on the stems, but rarely cause significant
damage. If an insect or disease problem is encountered in the
greenhouse, treatment options may be limited by cultural constraints if
these plants are to be used by Indian basketweavers. Pesticide exposure
is higher for basketweavers than the rest of the population. *Juncus*
culms are split with the mouth to process basketry materials; therefore,
an unusually high degree of human exposure and risk occur with plants
designated for ethnobotanic use. Rushes are perennial, rhizomatous
plants. In most cases, they will out-compete other species within the
wetland area of the site, eliminating the need for manual or chemical
control of invasive species.

*Traditional Resource Management*: The management of *Juncus effusus*
stands includes the following: ownership of prime basket rush sites,
stimulation of new growth through harvesting stalks, periodic burning,
and not harvesting when soils are very mucky and likely to be compacted.
The stalks are cut above the rhizomes and roots, leaving plenty of buds
to regrow new shoots. As with other rhizomatous species, harvesting
stimulates new growth and maintains the clone in a juvenile or immature
growth phase, where productivity is highest.

#### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Sumter Germplasm soft rush was released as a 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.
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture." This plant is available at many nurseries nationwide.

#### References

Cooke, S.S. 1997. *A field guide to the common wetland plants of Western
Washington and Northwestern Oregon*. Seattle Audubon Society and
Washington Native Plant Society. 414 pp.

Dahl, T.E. and C.E. Johnson 1991. *Status and trends of wetlands in the
coterminous United States, mid-1970s to mid-1980s*. USDI, FWS,
Washington, D.C. 28 pp.

Gunther, E. 1945 rev. 1973. *Ethnobotany of western Washington*.
University of Washington Publications in Anthropology, 10(1). University
of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington.

Hickman, J.C. (ed.) 1993. *The Jepson manual. Higher plants of
California*. University of California Press. 1399 pp.

Hoag, J.C. n.d. *Wetland plant fact sheet - Baltic rush (Juncus
balticus)*. Interagency Riparian/Wetland Project. USDA, NRCS, Plant
Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho. 3 pp.

Hoag, J.C. & M. Zierke (February) 1998. *A reference guide for the
collection and use of ten common wetland plants of the Great Basin and
Intermountain West*. Riparian/Wetland Project Information Series No. 13.
USDA, NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho. 13 pp.

Hoag, J.C. & M.E. Sellers (April) 1995. *Use of greenhouse propagated
wetland plants versus live transplants to vegetate constructed or
created wetlands*. Riparian/Wetland Project Information Series No. 7.
USDA, NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho. 6 pp.

Hurd, E.G., N.L. Shaw, & L.C. Smithman 1992. *Cyperaceae and Juncaceae -
selected low-elevation species.* Proceedings of Symposium of Ecology,
Management, and Restoration of Intermountain Annual Rangelands, Boise,
Idaho. May 18-22, 1992. Pages 380-383.

Kuhnlein, H.V. & N.J. Turner 1991. *Traditional plant foods of Canadian
indigenous peoples. Nutrition, botany and use*. Gordon and Breach
Science Publishers. 633 pp.

Manning, M.E., S.R. Swanson, T. Svejcar, & J. Trent 1989. *Rooting
characteristics of four Intermountain meadow community types*. Journal
of Range Management 42(4):309-312.

Martin, A.C., H.S. Zim, & A.L. Nelson 1951. *American wildlife and
plants: A guide to wildlife food habits*. Dover Publications, Inc., New
York, New York. 500 pp.

Merrill, R.E. 1970. *Plants used in basketry by the California Indians*.
Acoma Books, Ramona, California.

Moser, C.L. 1993. *Native American basketry of southern California*.
Riverside Museum Press. 155 pp.

Murphy, E.V.A. 1959. *Indian uses of native plants*. Mendocino County
Historical Society. 81 pp.

Strike, S.S. 1994. *Ethnobotany of the California Indians. Volume 2.
Aboriginal uses of California\'s indigenous plants*. Koeltz Scientific
Books, USA/Germany. 210 pp.

Tiner, R.W. 1984. *Wetlands of the United States: Current status and
recent trends*. USDI, FWS, National Wetlands Inventory, Washington, D.C.
58 pp.

Timbrook, J. (June) 1997. *California Indian Basketweavers Association
newsletter*.

Turnbaugh, S.P. & W.A. Turnbaugh 1986. *Indian baskets*. Schiffler
Publishing, Ltd., West Chester, Pennsylvania. Pages 194-205.

#### Prepared By

*Michelle Stevens*

formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

#### Species Coordinator

*M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

c/o Plant Sciences Department, University of California, Davis,
California

Edited: 05dec00 jsp: 20may03 ahv; 060801 jsp; 080128 mo & sp

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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