Quercus

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Not native to South Carolina

Plant this instead

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  • Canadian Rush
    Juncus canadensis

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Path Rush
    Juncus tenuis

    Similar growth form, evergreen or deciduous, bloom season

    Different: spread

  • Woolgrass Bulrush
    Scirpus cyperinus

    Similar growth form, spread, evergreen or deciduous

More natives for your garden

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Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including SC

Genus host records with ranges including SC · Juncus

  • Acronicta insularisHenry's Marsh Moth, Cattail Caterpillar
  • Bactra furfuranaRush Bactra
  • Bactra verutanaJavelin Moth
  • Cisseps fulvicollisYellow-Collared Scape Moth
  • Coleophora cratipennellaStreaked Coleophora
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
5BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Juncus

  • Alectoris chukarChukar
  • Anas acutaNorthern Pintail
  • Coturnicops noveboracensisYellow Rail
  • Lagopus leucuraWhite-tailed Ptarmigan
  • Plectrophenax nivalisSnow Bunting
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Juncaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–9b
Soil pH
Neutral
Flower color
Brown/copper or yellow
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Grows in clumps
Foliage color
Dark green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Common Rush; Lamp Rush

Conservation status

South Carolina rankNot available
Global rankG5
SC statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources