Giant Rush

Giant Rush photos

Family: Rush (Juncaeae)

Scientific Name:

Juncus ingens

Large clump of Giant Rush in summer
Photo: A J Brown

Status:

Native to New South Wales and Victoria.

Plant Description:

Large clump-forming rush to 5 m tall and both horizontal and ascending rhizomes. Stems erect, dull green, from 4-10 mm diameter and with pale to dark brown cataphylls to 40 cm or more at their bases.

Male and female flowers on separate plants. Flower-heads large and drooping with many flowers scattered along fine branches. Fruit a straw-coloured to light brown, capsule, 1.5-2 mm long.

Habitat:

Occurs in dense stands on heavy soils on and around lakes billabongs and drainage channels. Mainly freshwater environments (e.g. along the Murray River) but has been observed growing in saline and acid waters in the wetlands of the Gippsland Lakes.

Region	Salinity Class	Waterlogging Class
Central and Northern, Western, Gippsland	S0, S1, S2	W2, W3, W4

Comments:

Although not considered to be an indicator plant for salinity, the species nevertheless does appear to have reasonable tolerance, at least where water levels provide a saturated soil condition. However, seedlings are thought to be intolerant of sustained waterlogging.

Giant Rush Photos

Giant Rush flower-head Photo: A J Brown	Giant Rush in late winter Photo: A J Brown
Flowering Girant Rush Photo: A J Brown	Giant Rush fruit Photo: A J Brown
Giant Rush flower-head Photo: A J Brown

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