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Common Rush

Juncus spp.

Common Rush Locations in North America
Common Rush Locations in Southeast US
a few common rush



USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.

What is Common Rush?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Grass-like
  • Scattered along the stem
  • 1.19-5.91 inches long

Flowers:

  • Red-brown in color
  • Not branching much

Seeds:

  • Many seeded
  • Seed pod
  • Dry

Stem:

  • Hollow

Where Does it Grow?

Common rush can be found in wet meadows, marshes, seepage areas and along the edges of lakes, ponds and streams.

Pros and Cons of Common Rush

Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

What Type of Common Rush Do I Have?

There are 9 common species of rush in North America. Click on the buttons to learn more about each specific species.

Juncus marginatus
Juncus acuminatus
Juncus bufonius
Juncus capitatus
Juncus torreyi
Juncus tenuis
Juncus interior
Juncus dudleyi
Juncus effusus
How to Manage This Plant
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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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