About Juncus patens E.Mey.
Juncus patens E.Mey. is a perennial herb that grows in narrow, upright bunches of stems. It reaches up to 0.91 meters (3 feet) tall and spreads 0.30 to 0.61 meters (1 to 2 feet) wide. It spreads via rhizomes, which can significantly increase the overall width of a colony. Stems are thin, gray-green, often slightly waxy and grooved, and grow 12 to 35 inches (30 to 90 centimeters) in height. The inflorescence emerges from the side of the stem rather than the tip, and holds many individual flowers. Each flower has short, narrow, pointed tepals and six stamens, and flowering occurs during the summer. The mature fruit is a spherical red or brown capsule that fills and bulges out from the dried remains of the flower. Its seeds are attractive to birds. Juncus patens is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is used in traditional gardens, wildlife gardens, natural landscaping design, and habitat restoration projects. Its tall, narrow growth habit fits well in narrow garden beds, planters placed alongside walkway walls, and container plantings. Although it originates from moist habitats, established plants can be very drought tolerant. In sustainable gardening and sustainable landscaping, this species is used in rain gardens, phytoremediation swales, and intermittent ponds.
