Juncus effusus Soft rush (Juncaceae)

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Juncus effusus
Soft rush
(1 Page of 5)

The Juncus effusus plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Juncaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Soft rush. Some home gardeners know the variety as J. communis effusus.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Juncus effusus
Common Name:  Soft rush
Family:  Juncaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  Possibly toxic to mammals[76].

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:  0.5

Habitat:  Wet pastures, bogs, damp woods etc, usually on acid soils[17].

General Uses: Stems are used in basket making, thatching, weaving mats etc[23, 46, 66, 99, 115, 171]. The stems can also be dried then twisted or braided into ropes for tying or binding[257]. Stems can be peeled (except for a small spine which is left to keep them upright) and soaked in oil then used as a candle[6, 46, 61, 115]. A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making paper[189]. The stems are harvested in late summer or autumn, they are split and cut into usable pieces and then soaked for 24 hours in clear water. They are then cooked for 2 hours with lye and beaten in a blender. The fibres make an off-white paper[189]. When mixed with mulberry fibres they can be used for making stencil paper[189]. The whole plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[1, 66, 115].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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