Plant Data Sheet
Common Rush, Juncus effusus
Range
Throughout most of
Climate
Freshwater wetlands
Elevation
Below 8,000 feet (1)
Local occurrence
Common in wet prairies, meadows, pastures and fields as
well as in shallow water at the edges of ponds and lakes (2)
and in disturbed sites
Habitat preferences
Full sun, moist to wet fields, disturbed sites, seasonally
standing water to 3” (1)
Plant strategy type/successional stage
Extremely hardy and adaptable, can be invasive in some areas
Associated species
Buttercup (2), Carex species, Deschampsia caespitosa and Scirpus microcarpus (3)
Collection
restrictions or guidelines
Flowers persist from March to September or October (1)
Seed germination
Spring germination, full sun
Vegetative
regeneration
Division
Seed life
Up to 60 years (1)
Recommended seed
storage conditions
Propagation
recommendations
Spring division (4)
Soil or medium
requirements
Prefers acidic soils, wet (4), medium nitrogen, exposed and
compacted mineral soils with fluctuating ground water (3)
Installation form
Bare rootstock, keep moist and cool until planting, bury to the crowns in a moist, sunny spot in late fall (1)
Recommended planting
density
Height and width of mature plant – 18-48” by 12-24” (3)
Care requirements
after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
None
Normal rate of growth
or spread; lifespan
Moderate
Sources cited
1) Hansen, W.W. 2003. Native Plants of the Northwest, Native Plant Nursery & Gardens. Common Rush (Juncus Effusus). http://www.nwplants.com/plants/wetlands/juncaceae/juncus_effusus/
2) Guard,
J. 1995.
Wetland Plants of
3) Klinka, K., Krajina, V.J., Ceska, A. and A.M.
Scagel.
1989. Indicator Plants of Coastal
4) Perry, L. 2003. Juncus effuses. http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/aqjunc.html
Data compiled by: Lizbeth Seebacher