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Useful Temperate Plants

Juncus tenuis

Willd.

Juncaceae

+ Synonyms

Juncus bicornis Michx.

Juncus chloroticus Schult. & Schult.f.

Juncus germanorum Steud.

Juncus gesneri Sm.

Juncus gracilis Sm.

Juncus involucratus Kirk

Juncus lucidus Hochst.

Juncus macer Gray

Juncus smithii Kunth

Juncus tristanianus Hemsl.

Juncus vacillans Steud.

Common Name: Poverty Rush

No Image.

General Information

Juncus tenuis is a grass-like perennial plant forming a clump of growth from a densely branched, rhizomatous rootstock; it can grow from 10 - 80cm tall but is more commonly around 15 - 50cm tall[
2126
Title
Juncaceae 3: Juncus subg. Agathryon
Publication
Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 8: 1-192
Author
Kirschner J. et al
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
0 642 56824 3
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials, It is sometimes used as ground cover and soil stabilization in environemtal projects.
Juncus tenuis has small, sticky seeds which are easily overlooked. The small seeds become very mucilaginous and sticky when wet, making them easily transported on clothing, footwear, tyres, feathers and fur. This is partly why plants are common along footpaths and animal trails. For this reason there is considerable danger of the species being accidentally introduced into new countries, and of further spread within those countries where it is already present. However, its spread is most likely to be limited to paths, tracks and roadsides.

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.
,
2126
Title
Juncaceae 3: Juncus subg. Agathryon
Publication
Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 8: 1-192
Author
Kirschner J. et al
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
0 642 56824 3
Description
 

Range

N. America - Ontario, Quebec to Newfoundland, south throughout the USA to central Mexico. Widely naturalized in much of the world.

Habitat

Exposed or shaded sites in soils ranging from sand to clay, under moist or drier conditions, often in sites naturally or otherwise disturbed by game, human trails etc[
2126
Title
Juncaceae 3: Juncus subg. Agathryon
Publication
Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 8: 1-192
Author
Kirschner J. et al
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
0 642 56824 3
Description
 
]. Often in compacted soils along roadsides, on waste ground and by field paths[
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.
].

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.25 m
PollinatorsWind
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Easily grown in a moist soil or bog garden[
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.
]. In the wild plants grow on slightly acid, more or less base-deficient soils of clayey, loamy or gritty texture[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
]..
This species is closely related to Juncus dudleyi[
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.
].
The outer layer of the seed testa becomes mucilaginous and swells enormously if it becomes wet. The swelling seedmass often forces the seed capsule open. During rainy weather the large slimy transparent masses of seeds, which resemble frog’s spawn, adhere to the dehisced capsules[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
]. The wet seeds are very sticky and are readily spread on the feet of people, mammals and birds, and on the tyres of vehicles.[
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.
,
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi 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[
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.
]. Additionally, it was used in a decoction to dislodge spoiled saliva[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
A decoction or infusion is used to induce vomiting, or as a wash[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].

Agroforestry Uses:

Juncus tenuis has a number of environmental uses in its native North America, where it is used for erosion control along streambanks and in drainage stabilization due to its bunched growth form, and its ability to grow in saturated and compacted soils. Another use is as a biofilter where it can be used in the bottom of constructed bioswales as a groundlayer. It is also used in the scrub shrub layer as a ground cover in constructed wetlands[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
In landscaping it is also useful as a groundcover, or water plant, in a rain garden due to its ability to grow in compacted and saturated soils[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].

Other Uses

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

Propagation

Seed - can be sown in situ. If sown as soon as ripe the seed may germinate immediately or it might delay until the spring[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
]. The seed can also be surface sown in pots in a cold frame in early spring and the compost kept 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. Seed can remain dormant for two or more yeas[
1093
Title
Invasive Species Compendium
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.cabi.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
].
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. 2024-12-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Juncus+tenuis>

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