Juncus patens
| Juncus patens | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Juncaceae |
| Genus: | Juncus |
| Species: | J. patens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Juncus patens | |
Juncus patens is a species of rush, known by the common names spreading rush and California grey rush.[1]
It is native to the West Coast of the United States from Washington to California, and into Baja California, Mexico.[2]
It grows at seeps, springs, and riparian zones in stream beds and on river and pond banks, in marshes, and in other moist habitats.[3]
Description
Juncus patens is a perennial herb forming narrow, erect bunches of stems. It grows up to 3 feet (0.91 m) in height by 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) in width.[3][4] It spreads by rhizomes, which can increase a colonies width substantially.
The stems are thin, gray-green, often somewhat waxy, and grooved, and grow 30–90 centimetres (12–35 in) in height.
The inflorescence sprouts from the side of the stem, rather than its tip. It holds many flowers, each of which has short, narrow, pointed tepals and six stamens. It flowers in the summer.
The fruit is a spherical red or brown capsule which fills and bulges from the dried flower remnants when mature. The seeds attract birds.
Cultivation
Juncus patens is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in traditional and wildlife gardens, and in natural landscaping design, and in habitat restoration projects.[5][6] Its tall narrow form fits into narrow garden beds and planters adjacent to walkway walls, and in container planting.[7] Despite its moist habitat origins, it can be very drought-tolerant when established.[4][8]
In sustainable gardening and sustainable landscaping, Juncus patens is used in rain gardens and phytoremediation swales and intermittent ponds.
Cultivars
Cultivars of Juncus patens, selected for blue and/or gray foliage emphasis, include:
- Juncus patens 'Carman's Grey' — Carmen's California Gray Rush, steely blue-gray.[9]
- Juncus patens 'Elk Blue' — Elk Blue California Gray Rush, blue-gray.[10]
- Juncus patens 'Occidental Blue' — Occidental Blue California Gray Rush, gray-green.[11][12]
References
- ^ Flora of North America: Juncus patens
- ^ USDA
- ^ a b Encyclopedia of Life: Juncus patens; C.Michael Hogan ed. 2010.
- ^ a b Las Pilitas Database: Juncus patens (Common Rush)
- ^ California Natives Wiki: Juncus patens — Theodore Paune Foundation horticulture database.
- ^ San Marcos Growers database: Juncus patens homepage
- ^ Harlow, Nora and Kristin Jakob; Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: Gardening with California Monocots; Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA; University of California Press; 2003.
- ^ Bornstein, Carol, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien; California Native Plants for the Garden; Los Olivos, CA; Cachuma Press; 2005.
- ^ Boething Treeland Farms: Juncus patens 'Carmen's Gray'
- ^ San Marcos Growers database: Juncus patens 'Elk Blue'
- ^ Annies Annuals database: Juncus patens 'Occidental Blue' (Blue Leaved Rush)
- ^ Redding Water Smart Juncus patens 'Occidental Blue'
External links
- Juncus
- Flora of California
- Flora of Baja California
- Flora of Oregon
- Flora of Washington (state)
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Flora of the Klamath Mountains
- Flora of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
- Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
- Natural history of the Channel Islands of California
- Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
- Natural history of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Natural history of the Transverse Ranges
- Plants described in 1823
- Garden plants of North America
- Drought-tolerant plants