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Distribution
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All Species
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Rushes
Rushes
Rushes
Rushes
Rushes (Juncus)
Rushes are a large genus that includes hundreds of water-loving plants commonly known as rushes. Many of these are popular ornamental species grown in ponds or rain gardens. Rushes have a long history of human use, being used to make roofing, basketware, and cordage. In Japan rushes are used to make the outer layer of traditional Tatami mats.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Plant Type
Herb/Vine
info

Key Facts About Rushes

Attributes of Rushes

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Ideal Temperature
15 - 38 ℃

Scientific Classification of Rushes

distribution

Distribution of Rushes

Distribution Map of Rushes

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
species

Exploring the Rushes Plants

8 most common species:
Juncus effusus
Common rush
Common rush (Juncus effusus) is a soft, grass-like clumping perennial also known as soft rush. Common rush grows well in standing water or rich moist soil. It grows in small clumps that look like tall grass and spreads by rhizomes. It can be grown in an aquatic setting or indoors as a houseplant.
Juncus patens
Spreading Rush
Spreading Rush is an ornamental plant great for natural wildlife gardens. It is commonly found on stream banks, but is surprisingly drought-tolerant once mature. Its seeds are highly attractive to birds and this perennial spreads through underground rhizomes.
Juncus articulatus
Jointleaf rush
You can find jointleaf rush (Juncus articulatus) growing in many kinds of damp locations like rivers, swamps, and irrigation channels. This rush can be differentiated from similar species by its unique climbing or sprawling growth pattern. The Latin name juncus means to tie and refers to the historic use of these rushes to make cords.
Juncus acutus
Spiny rush
Spiny rush (Juncus acutus) is a versatile plant, growing around the world in salt marshes and desert dunes. Its upright green or brown stems end in a sharp point, which can harm humans and animals. Although favored by some landscapers, it is invasive. It is used for basket weaving by indigenous groups of California.
Juncus tenuis
Poverty rush
Poverty rush (Juncus tenuis) is a grass that grows from 15 to 46 cm tall. It blooms from spring to summer with green flowers. Thrives in full sun or partial shade in a variety of soils. Commonly found growing along ponds or wetlands it is generally considered a weed. It attracts butterflies and moths.
Juncus inflexus
European meadow rush
Juncus inflexus is commonly known as the european meadow rush and is in fact native to Europe. It has also been introduced to North America and grows in moist and wet soils. It blooms from spring to summer and is mostly used in water gardens.
Juncus torreyi
Torrey's rush
Torrey's rush (Juncus torreyi) is a perennial rush species that grows throughout North America. Torrey's rush is native to the United States and Canada. This species thrives in moist soil.
Juncus bufonius
Toad rush
Toad rush (Juncus bufonius) is a small plant that grows in moist and muddy soils. It is remarkably versatile, showing up from tropical to subarctic climates in both hemispheres. The wide distribution has generated many variants around the world.

All Species of Rushes

Common rush
Juncus effusus
Common rush
Common rush (Juncus effusus) is a soft, grass-like clumping perennial also known as soft rush. Common rush grows well in standing water or rich moist soil. It grows in small clumps that look like tall grass and spreads by rhizomes. It can be grown in an aquatic setting or indoors as a houseplant.
Spreading Rush
Juncus patens
Spreading Rush
Spreading Rush is an ornamental plant great for natural wildlife gardens. It is commonly found on stream banks, but is surprisingly drought-tolerant once mature. Its seeds are highly attractive to birds and this perennial spreads through underground rhizomes.
Jointleaf rush
Juncus articulatus
Jointleaf rush
You can find jointleaf rush (Juncus articulatus) growing in many kinds of damp locations like rivers, swamps, and irrigation channels. This rush can be differentiated from similar species by its unique climbing or sprawling growth pattern. The Latin name juncus means to tie and refers to the historic use of these rushes to make cords.
Spiny rush
Juncus acutus
Spiny rush
Spiny rush (Juncus acutus) is a versatile plant, growing around the world in salt marshes and desert dunes. Its upright green or brown stems end in a sharp point, which can harm humans and animals. Although favored by some landscapers, it is invasive. It is used for basket weaving by indigenous groups of California.
Poverty rush
Juncus tenuis
Poverty rush
Poverty rush (Juncus tenuis) is a grass that grows from 15 to 46 cm tall. It blooms from spring to summer with green flowers. Thrives in full sun or partial shade in a variety of soils. Commonly found growing along ponds or wetlands it is generally considered a weed. It attracts butterflies and moths.
European meadow rush
Juncus inflexus
European meadow rush
Juncus inflexus is commonly known as the european meadow rush and is in fact native to Europe. It has also been introduced to North America and grows in moist and wet soils. It blooms from spring to summer and is mostly used in water gardens.
Torrey's rush
Juncus torreyi
Torrey's rush
Torrey's rush (Juncus torreyi) is a perennial rush species that grows throughout North America. Torrey's rush is native to the United States and Canada. This species thrives in moist soil.
Toad rush
Juncus bufonius
Toad rush
Toad rush (Juncus bufonius) is a small plant that grows in moist and muddy soils. It is remarkably versatile, showing up from tropical to subarctic climates in both hemispheres. The wide distribution has generated many variants around the world.
Grassleaf rush
Juncus marginatus
Grassleaf rush
The Juncus marginatus is also known as grassleaf rush and is found in the southern United States. It grows in moist areas and is endangered in some parts of the U.S. It is among the rarest plants in its genus.
Irisleaf rush
Juncus xiphioides
Irisleaf rush
Irisleaf rush is a perennial herb native to the southern United States as well as the California area. It prefers wet habitats and is often cultivated for use in water gardens and other landscaping projects.
Sharp-flowered rush
Juncus acutiflorus
Sharp-flowered rush
Sharp-flowered rush produces leaves that are very similar to the Jointed Rush. However, you can tell them apart by their tepals, as sharp-flowered rush's are smaller and dark brown rather than black. It gets its name Sharp-flowered rush from the sharp shape and appearance of its flowers.
Branching rush
Juncus prismatocarpus
Branching rush
The branching rush is a loosely tufted rush that can be found growing in damp areas, reaching impressive heights. The species got its name from the shape of its fruit. In Latin, "prismatocarpus" means "prism-shaped fruit."
Compact rush
Juncus conglomeratus
Compact rush
Compact rush (Juncus conglomeratus) is named juncus, which is the Latin verb to tie, because the leaves of rushes can be used to make cord. This rush stands out from similar species because it has a single flower cluster that is characteristically dense. You can find this rush growing beside water or in wet farmlands and around drains.
Alpine rush
Juncus alpinoarticulatus
Alpine rush
Juncus alpinoarticulatus is found across North America, as well as in Europe and Asia. This species generally grows in alpine areas, hence the common name alpine rush. It is believed to have about six varieties.
Sword-leaved rush
Juncus ensifolius
Sword-leaved rush
It's not hard to find sword-leaved rush (*Juncus ensifolius*) growing wild, since it has spread widely and can be found growing in its favored wetland habitat across much of the world. This rush is an excellent pioneer species, and it is an important species used in the recovery of degraded wetland ecosystems. Additionally, this rush was used to teach basket weaving skills by the Karuk Native American people.
Baltic rush
Juncus balticus
Baltic rush
Baltic rush (Juncus balticus) is a salt-loving plant that you're most likely to see in salt marshes and coastal dunes, although it has spread extensively along heavily salted roads in New England. This grasslike rush is very useful for planting on soils that require stabilizing since its root system is specially designed for these conditions.
Roundfruit rush
Juncus compressus
Roundfruit rush
Roundfruit rush is the only non-native species in the genus growing in northwestern Minnesota. The plant is used in aquatic gardens for its flowers and is an invasive species in New England and the eastern United States.
Mertens' rush
Juncus mertensianus
Mertens' rush
Mertens' rush grows in moist mountainous parts of North America, flowering in the summer and early fall. It is a clumping herb that propagates via rhizomes. Mertens' rush is named for the 19th-century German botanist and naturalist Karl Heinrich Mertens. This perennial
Thread rush
Juncus filiformis
Thread rush
Thread rush (Juncus filiformis) has a wide range and is found throughout the circumboreal regions in North America, Europe, and Asia, although individual specimens are generally sparsely distributed. It grows well in moist and wet soils near lakes and coastal bogs.
Bighead rush
Juncus megacephalus
Bighead rush
The bighead rush(Juncus megacephalus) got its name after its large and prominent spherical clusters of flowers (the Latin epithet megacephalus means large-headed). This perennial rush is associated with fresh and brackish water, and it occurs in sandy soils and disturbed sites.
Drummond's rush
Juncus drummondii
Drummond's rush
Drummond's rush is a perennial herb that grows in western North America in alpine meadows and wet coniferous forests. The stem is tall and thin, wrapped in mid-green leaves. The flowers are a dark brown with green stripes. Drummond's rush is not commonly cultivated in residential gardens.
Saltmeadow rush
Juncus gerardii
Saltmeadow rush
Saltmeadow rush (Juncus gerardii) is a water plant that has spread widely and grows in saltwater habitats, thriving in man-made environments. These weedy properties have resulted in the species being classed as an invasive species in parts of the United States. This plant is eaten by cattle and its flowers provide food for rabbits.
Colorado rush
Juncus confusus
Colorado rush
Colorado rush is a grasslike species of North American rush found in the coniferous forests and meadows of Colorado — hence, the common name. You can find it flowering throughout the spring and summer, making it a lovely wildflower species. Unfortunately, colorado rush, along with most other rushes, have enjoyed little attention from botanists ever since their discovery.
Parry's rush
Juncus parryi
Parry's rush
Parry's rush (Juncus parryi) is a species of rush, flowering plants distinguished by their long cylindrical stalks and commonly used for weaving. The bracts surrounding its flowers are often a deep red-brown to purple. This perennial is usually found along stream banks and rocky slopes of mountainous and subalpine regions.
Sierra rush
Juncus nevadensis
Sierra rush
Sierra rush is most frequently found in wetlands and wet forest meadows in temperate mountain ranges, but can be found less frequently at lower altitudes. It is a grasslike perennial with small cream and purplish-brown flowers. Sierra rush gets its common name from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where it is most often found.
Rocky mountain rush
Juncus saximontanus
Rocky mountain rush
The rocky mountain rush is a perennial herb commonly found in mountainous bogs and meadows along the western coast of North America. It acts as a host to the Leptosphaeria acuta fungus, known as Nettle Rash in some parts of the world.
Juncus alatus
Juncus alatus
Juncus alatus
Juncus alatus is characterized by its upright, green, and distinctly winged stems, which bear a resemblance to small, verdant columns. The tower of hollow stems, topped with clusters of small, brown flowers, is quite distinctive and is typically found gracing wetlands and marshes. The habitat's moisture is key, aiding juncus alatus's survival and the propagation of its modest flowers which contribute to its ecological niche.
Corkscrew rush
Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'
Corkscrew rush
Corkscrew rush is an ornamental perennial grass. It makes a great addition to ponds since it thrives in wetland conditions, but it is also used as an indoor potted plant as well as in florists' bouquets. It does not have any leaves—only its distinctive spiraling, smooth green stem that produces flowers in the late summer.
Juncus diastrophanthus
Juncus diastrophanthus
Juncus diastrophanthus
Juncus diastrophanthus is a perennial wetland grass with cylindrical, hollow stems that typically cluster in dense tufts. It boasts fine, thread-like leaves and produces small, brownish flowers which congregate at the stem tops. Thriving in moist to wet conditions, juncus diastrophanthus is adept at colonizing areas with standing water, playing a vital role in stabilizing soil and providing wildlife habitat.
Juncus gracillimus
Juncus gracillimus
Juncus gracillimus
Juncus gracillimus is a delicate, slender rush inhabiting moist environments. It displays thin, grass-like leaves and erect, green to straw-colored stems. Small, clustered flowers top its stems in summer, adapting juncus gracillimus for pollination reliance on wind. This species is distinguished by its graceful form, which contributes to stabilizing soil in its wetland ecosystem.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
All Species
More Genus
Rushes
Rushes
Rushes
Rushes
Rushes
Rushes
Rushes
Juncus
Rushes are a large genus that includes hundreds of water-loving plants commonly known as rushes. Many of these are popular ornamental species grown in ponds or rain gardens. Rushes have a long history of human use, being used to make roofing, basketware, and cordage. In Japan rushes are used to make the outer layer of traditional Tatami mats.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Plant Type
Herb/Vine
info

Key Facts About Rushes

Attributes of Rushes

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Ideal Temperature
15 - 38 ℃

Scientific Classification of Rushes

distribution

Distribution of Rushes

Distribution Map of Rushes

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
species

Exploring the Rushes Plants

8 most common species:
Juncus effusus
Common rush
Common rush (Juncus effusus) is a soft, grass-like clumping perennial also known as soft rush. Common rush grows well in standing water or rich moist soil. It grows in small clumps that look like tall grass and spreads by rhizomes. It can be grown in an aquatic setting or indoors as a houseplant.
Juncus patens
Spreading Rush
Spreading Rush is an ornamental plant great for natural wildlife gardens. It is commonly found on stream banks, but is surprisingly drought-tolerant once mature. Its seeds are highly attractive to birds and this perennial spreads through underground rhizomes.
Juncus articulatus
Jointleaf rush
You can find jointleaf rush (Juncus articulatus) growing in many kinds of damp locations like rivers, swamps, and irrigation channels. This rush can be differentiated from similar species by its unique climbing or sprawling growth pattern. The Latin name juncus means to tie and refers to the historic use of these rushes to make cords.
Juncus acutus
Spiny rush
Spiny rush (Juncus acutus) is a versatile plant, growing around the world in salt marshes and desert dunes. Its upright green or brown stems end in a sharp point, which can harm humans and animals. Although favored by some landscapers, it is invasive. It is used for basket weaving by indigenous groups of California.
Show More Species

All Species of Rushes

popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
product icon close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
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