Approved Format: >90cm3 plants (such as 93cc HIKO stock)
Family: Juncaceae
Form: Juncus pallidus, or Pale Rush, is a Tussock-forming, strongly rhizomatous perennial
Foliage: Leaves reduced to a broad, loose, pale green basal sheath to 40cm, pale to dark brown toward the base.
Flowers: Scattered or clustered flowers on erect branched flowerhead; 6 stamens. Main bract continues above flowers for 35cm. Capsules golden brown, as long as or longer than flowers.
Fruit: Capsules golden brown, as long as or longer than flowers
Habitat: Seasonally wet and poorly drained soils in swampy scrub, forests and floodplains. Full sun, semi shade
Distinctive Features: Erect bluish green to dull green stems to 8mm diameter with lightly raised ridges. Pith white, moderately dense, continuous
Similar species: Similar to several other Juncus species. Look for continuous pith within the culms to distinguish from J. flavidus, J. subsecundus, and J. gregiflorus
Comments: It is an excellent soil stabiliser and nutrient stripper for permanent and seasonal waterbodies due to its network of roots and dense foliage at the soil surface. It also has the ability to pump oxygen into the sediment, which assists with essential microbial activity.
