Spiny Rush

Juncus acutus

Native to:
Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Ascension, Baleares, Bermuda, Brazil, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Chile, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Great Britain, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Juan Fernández Is., Kriti, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Lesotho, Libya, Madeira, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, South Africa, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, United States, Uruguay, Western Sahara

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Juncaceae
Genus:
Juncus
Species:
Juncus acutus
USDA Symbol:
JUAC2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
greenish-brown

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, waterfowl
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, saline, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in coastal and saline environments

Propagation & Germination

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.

Source: Claude AI