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| ## black  {#black .Title-Header}                                      |
|                                                                       |
| ## needlerush {#needlerush .Title-Header}                             |
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| *Juncus roemerianus* Scheele.                                         |
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| Plant Symbol = JURO                                                   |
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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**

Black needlerush, black grass, Roemer's rush.

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

Dense stands of black needlerush form deep fibrous root systems, which
provide very good shoreline protection, filter suspended solids, uptake
nutrients, and facilitate substrate oxidation. With its range of
salinity tolerances, black needlerush is used in tidal estuary
restoration along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Seed and vegetative
parts of black needlerush are utilized by waterfowl, muskrats and
non-game birds.

##### 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* *roemerianus* is a moderate growing, bunch forming, grass-like
perennial. The plant is course and rigid, 0.5-1.5 m tall. The leaves are
terete, stiff and pungent. The inflorescence is lateral with an
involucral bract that is terete and erect. The perianth is usually
brownish, 3-3.5 mm long with sepals longer and is more pointed than
petals. Seeds are dark and .0.6 mm long. Black needlerush flowers from
May to October; the seed matures from July to November. It is found
growing in brackish marshes in dense zonal stands.

#####  {#section .Header-3}

**Distribution and Adaptation**

Black needlerush is one of the dominate species in the marshes on the
southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It dominates 20.7% of the marsh in
the south Atlantic states and 7.3% of Gulf coast marshes. But, it covers
more marsh area on the Gulf coast than the Atlantic coast. Its
distribution is continuous from Maryland to Florida and westward to
southwestern Texas. Black needlerush occupies the edge of ditches and
shorelines of bays, back bays and tributaries of tidal systems in
coastal systems. It is well adapted to fine and medium textured soils,
has a high tolerance to anaerobic conditions, high tolerance to calcium
carbonate (CaCO~3~) and tolerates pH ranges from 4.0-7.0

##### It is usually restricted to coastal marshes and estuaries, but it may extend 10 to 15 miles inland along river estuaries. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website. {#it-is-usually-restricted-to-coastal-marshes-and-estuaries-but-it-may-extend-10-to-15-miles-inland-along-river-estuaries.-for-a-current-distribution-map-please-consult-the-plant-profile-page-for-this-species-on-the-plants-website. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

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

In the wild, black needlerush establishes from seed, rhizomes or
vegetative divisions from storm derived floatsum. Researchers have shown
that black needlerush seeds from the Mississippi Gulf coast require
light for germination. This seed remains viable for one year and will
germinate at a high percentage any time after maturity, and without a
cold wet stratification.

Nursery and greenhouse production are effectively accomplished with seed
or vegetative divisions. Divisions should include several good roots, a
node and three to five green stems. Seed can also be stratified in
saturated soil-less potting media with high percentage of fine organics.
Seed and media can be thoroughly moistened by placing the mix into zip
lock bags and stored at approximately 36°F. for 60 days. Materials can
be direct seeded into greenhouse starter trays with diurnal temperatures
of 80°F days and 50°F nights and 14 hour photoperiods. Seedling
emergence was limited and rate of growth slow.

For greenhouse forced vegetative divisions use similar environmental
photo-periods and diurnal temperatures listed above.

##### Consult your local university extension service agent for pesticide recommendations. {#consult-your-local-university-extension-service-agent-for-pesticide-recommendations. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

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

##### In the mid-Atlantic, several major nursery pests may present themselves and required IPM strategies. These pests can include pythium, brown patch, fungus gnats and algae. This is based upon professional experiences at the NRCS Cape May Plant Material Center New Jersey and diagnosis of pests by Rutgers University Turf Grass Department staff. {#in-the-mid-atlantic-several-major-nursery-pests-may-present-themselves-and-required-ipm-strategies.-these-pests-can-include-pythium-brown-patch-fungus-gnats-and-algae.-this-is-based-upon-professional-experiences-at-the-nrcs-cape-may-plant-material-center-new-jersey-and-diagnosis-of-pests-by-rutgers-university-turf-grass-department-staff. .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials  {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials .Header-3}

No improved varieties are known, but numerous wetland nurseries carry
local or regional ecotypes.

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

William Skaradek, USDA NRCS Cape May Plant Materials Center, Cape May
Court House, New Jersey

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Reviewed and Edited By: {#reviewed-and-edited-by .Header-3}

##### *James Henson, Robert Glennon and Joel Douglas* USDA NRCS {#james-henson-robert-glennon-and-joel-douglas-usda-nrcs .Header-3}

##### 

##### Edited: 070326 jsp {#edited-070326-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/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
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
TDD).*

*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
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}