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Common Name: Poverty Rush

General Information

Juncus tenuis is a

Known Hazards

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[]..

Botanical References

Range

N. America - Alaska to Quebec, south to Texas. Widely naturalized and spreading in Britain.

Habitat

Moist sandy soils in woods[]. Naturalized in Britain where it grows along roadsides, on waste ground and by field paths[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Wind

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a moist soil or bog garden[, ]. Prefers a heavy soil in sun or light shade[].
This species is closely related to J. dudleyi[].
The seeds become very mucilaginous and are spread by becoming attached to tractor wheels etc[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the plant has been given to babies to prevent lameness and also used as a wash on babies to strengthen them[].

Other Uses

A string made from the plant has been used to bind up dough in oak leaves for cooking bread[].

Propagation

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.