Common Rush

Other Common Names: soft rush, pencil grass, mat rush

(Juncus effusus)

Native

Common rush has straight, hollow stems two to four feet tall, no leaves, and brown clusters of flowers that grow out of the sides of the stems.

Description

Common rush rhizomes are very short, thick, and chestnut brown in color. The hollow stems grow straight upright, two to four feet tall and about one-tenth of an inch thick. They are crowded together and pale green in color.

No leaves grow on this plant. Brown flowers grow out of the sides of the stems in clusters of 30 to 100 and branch loosely. The stiff, pointed stems are often gray or brown when mature.

Location

Common rush can be found across the United States.

Propagation

seeds, rhizomes