Etymology
Juncus is New Latin from the classical Latin name for the rush; balticus is Latin for the Baltic Sea region.
Native Habitat
Coastal salt marshes.
Garden Uses
Baltic rush is useful in a bioswale or bog-type garden with other wetland plants. The dark green spiky foliage provides contrast.
Overview
Baltic Rush is a perennial that thrives in disturbed habitats (it can be seen along heavily salted roadways), brackish and salt marshes, wetlands and edges of wetlands. It fixes nitrogen, meaning it draws nitrogen from the air and uses it to grow, and upon decomposing, adds the nitrogen to the soil in a form usable by other plants.
Leaves and Stems
The stem of the plant is unbranched, medium to dark green, narrow and slightly tapered. The leaf bases have reddish-brown smooth sheaths that are often partially buried by sand or soil.
Flowers
The central stem terminates in a panicle of solitary spikelets and a spathe that looks like a continuation of the stem. This spathe is 2” – 16” long, narrow, and dark green. The panicle of spikelets has ascending branchlets that are ¼" – 6" long; they are threadlike and often slightly curved or sinuous. There are 5-50 spikelets per panicle. The tiny individual spikelets consist of 3 dry petals, 3 dry sepals, 6 stamens and a pistil. The flowers, are notable for their pink stigmas visible during bloom time.
Fruit/Seed
The dry seed capsules divide in 3 parts and release tiny windborne seeds in summer.
Animal Associates
Rushes provide food and habitat for a variety of birds and mammals. Songbirds and waterfowl eat the tiny seeds and muskrats feed on the roots and rhizomes. Rushes also provide cover for wading birds in wetlands, and spawning areas for fish. Many species of insect and moth larva feed on the Baltic rush.
Propagation
Easily divided in spring.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Stems have long been used in basket weaving and other handiworks.
Garden Location
Library Garden (see garden map)
Sources
Plant Profile by Kathy Kling