Mertens' Rush
Juncus mertensianus
Also known as: Duran's Rush
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Canada, Japan, Kuril Is., Mexico, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Juncaceae
- Genus:
- Juncus
- Species:
- Juncus mertensianus
- USDA Symbol:
- JUME3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- brown
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, organic soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in wet meadows and along streams
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and consistently moist conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Mix seeds with sand and sow directly into target containers with a growing medium of 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice and Nutricote controlled release fertilizer at the rate of 0.5 gram per 107 ml container. Seal racks inside plastic bags and refrigerate at 1 to 3 °C for 30 days. Alternatively, subject seeds to a 5 month outdoor cold, moist stratification.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in late August using scissors and paper bags and are kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. The species is found in wet places and along streams from the montane to the alpine zone. It occurs from Alaska to California and east to the Rocky Mountains from Alberta to New Mexico.
Source: npn.rngr.net