Rush Hour

Rushes (Juncus spp.) are common plants of moist areas, and are often
found in swamps and along watercourses throughout the region. After
experiencing 2 years of high rainfall, the boom in rushes comes much
to the dismay or delight of landholders (depending on what they want
to get out of their land).

Juncus species are distinguished as robust tussocks of green steams
with flowers found in clusters on one side of the stem. They are
difficult to tell apart given there are 68 species found in all states
of Australia and that several different species are often found
growing together.

Of the 68 species, 31 are native to Australia and the rest are
naturalised i.e. originated elsewhere in the world but established and
reproducing itself without deliberate human assistance (National
Herbarium of NSW, cited 8, Oct. 2012).

The good news is that of the 68 species, only 1 of is of real concern
from a 'noxious weed' perspective; Juncus acutus or Spiny Rush as it
is commonly known. Currently only found in isolated pockets of South
Gippsland, Spiny Rush is native to Europe, Africa and the Americas. A
large, tough, perennial rush to 150cm tall with extremely sharp
pointed leaf tips-if you accidently poke yourself in the face with
this plant you'll know about, that's for sure!

Spiny Rush tolerates saline soils making it widespread from saline
costal flats to saline inland swamps and irrigation drains. The plant
is classified as a noxious weed in Victoria given its capacity to
exclude preferred pasture species, injure stock and restrict the
movements of animals, machinery and humans.

A couple of rushes you're more likely to see in these parts, (than
Spiny Rush) are Tall Rush (Juncus procerus) and Loose-flower Rush
(Juncus pauciflorus). These species are native, and not listed as
noxious in Victoria.

In spite of these species being native, many farmers consider them a
weed when found growing in a paddock situation. Often asking "How can
I get rid of those pesky rushes that continue to grow in the wet areas
of my paddocks!?' There are herbicides that will kill rushes however
to prevent reinvasion drainage of the site needs to be addressed i.e.
they will return if conditions are favourable.

Other farmers see how the rushes provide shelter and refuge for lambs
and therefore consider them to be more of an asset than a burden.
Rushes growing along gullies or drainage lines are earmarked to be
fenced off and planted out by people who recognise that these areas
are of marginal production value i.e. they may as well be fenced off
because they have limited production value anyway.

From an ecological point of view, rushes can provide food and cover
for animals such as frogs (Sanity & Jacobs, 1994; Anon, 2004) and
nesting sites for birds, and yabbies eat the tender young stems of
some species. Rushes can also out-compete less desirable and more
obstructive plants along the edges of waterways and can act to
stabilise creek banks.

At the end of the day, whether you love or hate them- rushes are here
to stay. On your property, the decision on keeping them or getting
rid of them is yours however I hope this article makes yours an
informed one.

Kate