Juncus tenuis
Path Rush
General
Juncus tenuis can tolerate a range of growing conditions, including heavily trodden paths, which is where it gets its common name "Path Rush". It can grow in wet, dry, or compacted soils, and can be anywhere from 6'' to 2' in height.
Plant Description
Grows in small, sometimes "V" shaped clusters, and will vary from half a foot to 2' at mature height. Flowers are compound, with mostly inconspicuous star shaped florets, which will give way to brownish seed heads.
Height (ft)
0.5-2'
Soil moisture
Moist to dry
Soil types
Variable; can tolerate
Wetland indicator
FAC-
Shade tolerance
Intermediate, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom color
Green
Bloom period
Spring
Drought tolerance
Low to Medium
Salinity tolerance
Low
Range
Eastern United States to the edge of the Great Plains, Western United States to the Rockies, and some sparse populations in between.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to USDA NRCS Corvallis Plant Materials Center, this species by the indigenous Cherokee as a wash to strengthen babies. They would also use the stems as cordage to bind dough in oak leaves when baking. The Iroquois lacrosse players and runners would use this species to induce vomiting or as a wash.