Soft Rush

Juncus inflexus

Soft Rush is a Eurasian species introduced to North America and now widely naturalized in wetlands, ditches, and disturbed moist ground across the continent. It closely resembles Common Rush but can be distinguished by its dull, blue-green, ribbed stems with a continuous pith, versus the shiny, smooth stems with interrupted pith of Common Rush. Despite being introduced, it functions ecologically similarly to native rushes, providing wetland structure and seeds for wildlife. It is among the most widespread rush species in disturbed wetlands of the eastern United States.

Habitat

Ditches, wet roadsides, disturbed marshes, and pond margins across the eastern United States and Pacific Coast.

Diet

Seeds eaten by dabbling ducks and marsh birds; stems and clumps provide nesting structure for Red-winged Blackbirds and wetland sparrows.

How common

Common

Not certain it is a Soft Rush? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.