soft rush

plant

Also known as: Juncus effusus

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Soft rush, also known as Juncus effusus or round rush, is a plant found in marshy areas worldwide. It is characterized by its furrowed, soft, and usually cylindrical stems.12

Rushes, in general, are flowering plants with hollow, stem-like leaves or cylindrical stalks, commonly found in moist or shady temperate regions. The rush family includes genera like Juncus (common rushes) and Luzula (woodrushes).2

Soft rush is specifically used in Japan to create tatami mats. Other uses for rushes globally include weaving mats, chair bottoms, and basketwork, as well as using their pith for candle wicks.2

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rush
effusus, called soft rush, is used to make the tatami mats of Japan. The bulrush, also called reed mace and cattail, is Typha angustifolia, belonging to the family Typhaceae; its stems and leaves are used in North India for ropes, mats, and baskets. The horsetail genus (Equisetum)…
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effusus, called soft rush, is used to make the tatami mats of Japan. The bulrush, also called reed mace and cattail, is Typha angustifolia, belonging to the family Typhaceae; its stems and leaves are used in North India for ropes, mats, and baskets. The horsetail genus (Equisetum)…
Read More