Iris-leaf Rush – Juncus xiphioides (JUN-kus zif-ee-OI-dees)

Family: Juncaceae (Rush Family)

Native to: Southwestern U.S. from OR to Baja, including ocean-influenced SW CA; Salt marshes, moist

areas, ditches, springs, lake and stream shores in Chaparral or Coastal Scrub, Coastal Areas, Desert

Mountains, Deserts, Foothill, Oak Woodlands, Grasslands, Mountains.

Growth characteristics: clumping perennial rush mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 2-3+ ft.

Spreading rush with broad, flat iris-like leaves. Foliage grey-green, evergreen with water (but can be drought-dormant), attractive. Showy globular heads of dark brown seedheads

Blooms/fruits: Blooms May-Oct. Flowers small, green (grass-like flowers) in heads. The dried seed

heads in summer/fall are more showy than the flowers.

Uses in the garden: Most useful along pools & ponds or along steam beds (included constructed garden

streams and filtration wetlands). Useful in rain gardens/swales. Interesting pot plant. Good groundcover with regular water - is very drought tolerant but will become dormant with little water.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native rushes.

Attracts: Provides seeds for bird food. Lizards hide in foliage.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to part shade (even fairly shady – but slower growing, less flowering)

Soil any

Water Very adaptable. Looks best with some summer water. Can take anything from little to regular summer water (even damp soils ok).

Fertilizer Not needed; organic mulches fine

Other

Management: Easy to grow. Spreads by rhizomes, so you may want to plant in a contained area.

Propagation: from seed: yes – in pots by root cuttings: easy; divide rhizomes (include at least 1

‘eye’ per piece) and repot in pot or ground.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 20 1/16/15

© Project SOUND

Juncus xiphioides

Iris-leaf rush