Juncus balticus
| Juncus balticus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Juncus balticus (common name: baltic rush)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in pots in a cold frame in early spring and keep the compost moist. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently, otherwise in late spring of the following year.
Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation: Easily grown in a moist soil, bog garden or shallow water[1][2]. Prefers a heavy soil in sun or light shade[2].
Plants can form large clumps and spread aggressively at the roots[2][3].
Range: N. Europe, Northern N. America, N. Asia in boreal areas.
Habitat: Damp to wet soils, usually in saline conditions[3].
Edibility: A sugar forms along the top of the plant. This can be gathered and eaten as candy[4].
Seed[4]. No more details are given but the seed is very small[K].
The stems are used to make a fermented drink[4].
Usage: The stems are used in making woven baskets, thatching, weaving mats etc[3][4].
The basal portions of the stems have been used as a light yellow-brown decoration on baskets[4].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, there is a report that one member of this genus is possibly toxic to mammals[5]..
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.