Juncaceae FAMILY

Juncus tenuis

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & 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[ 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ].

Botanical Description

Juncus tenuis is a grass-like perennial plant forming a clump of growth from a densely branched, rhizomatous rootstock; it can grow from 10 - 80cm tall but is more commonly around 15 - 50cm tall[ 2126 Title Juncaceae 3: Juncus subg. Agathryon Publication Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 8: 1-192 Author Kirschner J. et al Publisher Year 2002 ISBN 0 642 56824 3 Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials, It is sometimes used as ground cover and soil stabilization in environemtal projects. Juncus tenuis has small, sticky seeds which are easily overlooked. The small seeds become very mucilaginous and sticky when wet, making them easily transported on clothing, footwear, tyres, feathers and fur. This is partly why plants are common along footpaths and animal trails. For this reason there is considerable danger of the species being accidentally introduced into new countries, and of further spread within those countries where it is already present. However, its spread is most likely to be limited to paths, tracks and roadsides.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeN. America - Ontario, Quebec to Newfoundland, south throughout the USA to central Mexico. Widely naturalized in much of the world.

HabitatExposed or shaded sites in soils ranging from sand to clay, under moist or drier conditions, often in sites naturally or otherwise disturbed by game, human trails etc[ 2126 Title Juncaceae 3: Juncus subg. Agathryon Publication Species Plantarum: Flora of the World Part 8: 1-192 Author Kirschner J. et al Publisher Year 2002 ISBN 0 642 56824 3 Description ]. Often in compacted soils along roadsides, on waste ground and by field paths[ 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ].