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Useful Temperate Plants

Juncus acutus

L.

Juncaceae

+ Synonyms

Juncus karelinii Steud.

Juncus leopoldii Parl.

Juncus maritimus acutus (L.) Douin

Juncus multibracteatus Tineo

Juncus robustus S.Watson

Juncus spinosus Caruel

Juncus spinosus Forssk.

Common Name: Sharp Rush

No Image.

General Information

Juncus acutus is a densely clump-forming, grass-like perennial plant
growing around 50 - 150cm tall, occasionally to 200cm[
2127
Title
Juncaceae 2: Juncus subg. Juncus
Publication
Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 7: 1-336
Author
Kirschner J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
0 642 56823 5
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use in making baskets and mats.
Juncus acutus is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

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[
76
Title
Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man.
Publication
 
Author
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A.
Publisher
HMSO
Year
1984
ISBN
0112425291
Description
Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.
]..

Botanical References

17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
2127
Title
Juncaceae 2: Juncus subg. Juncus
Publication
Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 7: 1-336
Author
Kirschner J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
0 642 56823 5
Description
 

Range

Warm temperate (generally Mediterranean) regions of Europe, W. Asia, N. & S. Africa, N. & S. America.

Habitat

A largely coastal plant, growing on sandy sea shores and dune slacks, salt marshes, rarely in freshwater marshes[
17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
2127
Title
Juncaceae 2: Juncus subg. Juncus
Publication
Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 7: 1-336
Author
Kirschner J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
0 642 56823 5
Description
 
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.50 m
PollinatorsWind
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Easily grown in a moist soil, bog garden or shallow water[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a heavy soil in sun or light shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stems are used in making woven baskets, thatching, weaving mats etc[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
257
Title
Native American Ethnobotany
Publication
 
Author
Moerman. D.
Publisher
Timber Press. Oregon.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-88192-453-9
Description
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
,
454
Title
Useful Fiber Plants of the World
Publication
 
Author
Dodge C.R.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
USDA; Washington.
Year
1897
ISBN
 
Description
A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The baskets made in Italy from this rush are used chielly as receptacles for crushed olive pulp, wbicli is then placed under the press[
454
Title
Useful Fiber Plants of the World
Publication
 
Author
Dodge C.R.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
USDA; Washington.
Year
1897
ISBN
 
Description
A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

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.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-07. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Juncus+acutus>

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