Invasiveness Assessment - Spiny rush (Juncus acutus) in Victoria (Nox)
Back | Table | Feedback
Plant invasiveness is determined by evaluating a plant’s biological and ecological characteristics against criteria that encompass establishment requirements, growth rate and competitive ability, methods of reproduction, and dispersal mechanisms.
| Each characteristic, or criterion, is assessed against a list of intensity ratings. Depending upon information found, a rating of Low, Medium Low, Medium High or High is assigned to that criterion. Where no data is available to answer a criterion, a rating of medium (M) is applied. A description of the invasiveness criteria and intensity ratings used in this process can be viewed here. |
The following table provides information on the invasiveness of Spiny rush.
A more detailed description of the methodology of the Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method can be viewed below:
Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (PDF - 630 KB)
Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (DOC - 1026 KB)
To view the information PDF requires the use of a PDF reader. This can be installed for free from the Adobe website (external link).
Common Name: Spiny rush
Scientific name: Juncus acutus
| Question | Comments | Reference | Rating |
| Establishment | |||
| Germination requirements? | Seeds germinate at most times of the year. | P & C (1992) | H |
| Establishment requirements? | Mostly occurs in ‘open’ habitats in Australia. However, occurs with willow riparian vegetation and sycamore woodland in Dan Diego But. Subsp. Of J. acutus. | P & C (1992) Reiser (1994) | ML |
| How much disturbance is required? | Establishes in minor disturbed natural ecosystems e.g. riparian vegetation and wetland areas. | Carr et al (1992) | MH |
| Growth/Competitive | |||
| Life form? | Semi aquatic. Occurs in swamps, creeks and wetlands. | Sainty & Jacobs (1981) Carr et al (1992) | H |
| Allelopathic properties? | None described. |  | L |
| Tolerates herb pressure? | Not readily eaten by grazing animals. | P & C (1992) | MH |
| Normal growth rate? | Once established completely covers an area and eliminates all other vegetation. | P & C (1992) | H |
| Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? | Tolerant of water logging (occurs along waterways), salinity (occurs in saline wetlands), drought? (Survives in desert environments). | P & C (1992) Carr et al (1992) | MH |
| Reproduction | |||
| Reproductive system | Reproducing by seeds and from rhizomes. | P & C (1992) | H |
| Number of propagules produced? | Seeds numerous in each capsule. 200 seed capsules x 20 seeds per capsule = 4,000 seeds per plant. (Refer to pic. P & C 1992 p. 82). | P & C (1992) | H |
| Propagule longevity? | | | M |
| Reproductive period? | Plants are long lived. Do not flower until at least two years old, so would produce seeds at least 3-10 years. | P & C (1992) | MH |
| Time to reproductive maturity? | Plants do not flower until at least two years old. | P & C (1992) | ML |
| Dispersal | |||
| Number of mechanisms? | Seeds – contaminant of agricultural produce, machinery, vehicles, water, mud etc. Also dispersed by rhizomes. | P & C (1992) | MH |
| How far do they disperse? | As riparian sp. many seeds would be dispersed by water movements, which is likely to be 20-200 m. Plus seed adhering to animals would also be dispersed 20-200 m. | | ML |
Feedback
Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment?
If so, we would value your contribution. Click on the link to go to the feedback form.
© State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) 1996 - .
This work, Victorian Resources Online, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) as author, indicate if changes were made and comply with the other licence terms.
The licence does not apply to ‘branding’ or some ‘images or photographs’ that may be owned by third parties. We ask you to seek prior approval to use images using the VRO feedback form. Access to higher quality images can also be provided on request.
This page was last updated on .