Practical
Plants

Juncus balticus

Baltic Rush

a perennial member of the Juncus genus in the family Juncaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Juncaceae
Genus
Juncus
Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
1 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, there is a report that one member of this genus is possibly toxic to mammals[5]..

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A sugar forms along the top of the plant. This can be gathered and eaten as candy[4]. Seed[4]. No more details are given but the seed is very small[K]. The stems are used to make a fermented drink[4].

Product or use
Drink
Product or use
Sweetener
Plant part
Seed

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stems are used in making woven baskets, thatching, weaving mats etc[3][4]. The basal portions of the stems have been used as a light yellow-brown decoration on baskets[4].

Product or use
Weaving

Environment

Range
N. Europe, Northern N. America, N. Asia in boreal areas.
Habitat
Damp to wet soils, usually in saline conditions[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in pots in a cold frame in early spring and keep the compost moist. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently, otherwise in late spring of the following year. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a moist soil, bog garden or shallow water[1][2]. Prefers a heavy soil in sun or light shade[2]. Plants can form large clumps and spread aggressively at the roots[2][3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

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