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Juncus effusus var. solutus

Juncus effusus L. var. solutus Fernald & Wiegand

Lamp Rush, Soft Rush

Juncaceae (Rush Family)

Synonym(s): Juncus effusus ssp. solutus, Juncus griscomii

USDA Symbol: JUEFS

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I), PR (N)

Soft Rush forms large, bright-green tussocks of soft stems 2-4 ft. high. The leaves are brownish, basally sheathing the stem. The main inflorescence bract is erect, extending much beyond the brownish fruiting cluster. Flowers in spring, but fruits remain over the summer.

A member of the family Juncaceae which includes herbs, rarely shrubs, with mostly grass-like leaves, usually in a basal tuft, and small greenish or brownish flower in dense spikes or heads or sometimes in loose clusters or even solitary.

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to Nf., Que. & Ont.
Native Habitat: Wet areas bordering water; swampy or marshy ground

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Most moist or wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Soft Rush has a strong architectural form and is a favorite for dragonfly perches. Usually found in the transition zone between wet prairie and fresh marsh. Transplant small plants with rhizomes on wet soils or pond edges in 3-5 inches of water in late winter or early spring. This plant can withstand periods of dryness followed by flooding. Recommended that it be maintained in tubs to prevent invasive spread by rhizomes. Looks best if old years leaves are removed before new growth appears in spring.

Benefit

Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagate by division or direct seeding.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 34 - Go Botany (2019) Native Plant Trust
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Juncus effusus var. solutus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Juncus effusus var. solutus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Juncus effusus var. solutus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-15
Research By: DEW, JSC, ADA

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