Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'
{{Short description|Perennial plant}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'
| image = Juncus effusus 'Spiralis' - North Carolina Arboretum.JPG
| species = Juncus effusus
| cultivar = 'Spiralis'
| origin =
}}
Juncus effusus
Description
The plants grow to 45 cm (18 in) high. The young, leafless stems are light green and coiled, with the coils becoming looser with age.{{cite book|author=Aker, Scott|title=Better Homes and Gardens New Garden Book|location=Des Moines, Iowa|publisher=Meredith Books|year=2005|page=496|isbn=978-0-696-02557-0|display-authors=etal}} They grow in both a horizontal and vertical direction. By winter, the stems become a yellow-brown or tan colour. Flowers are both rare and insignificant in terms of the plant’s appearance. They are yellow-green or light brown.{{cite web|title=Juncus effusus f. spiralis|publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden|url=http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=V930|access-date=16 July 2011}}
Origin and name
The origin of the cultivar is uncertain, though Japan is thought to be a possibility. The cultivar has also been referred to as Juncus effusus f. spiralis and Scirpus lacustris 'Spiralis'. In the United States the cultivar is often confused with Juncus balticus 'Spiralis'.{{cite book|author1=Speichert, C. Greg |author2=Sue Speichert |title=Encyclopedia of water garden plants|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediawate00spei |url-access=limited |location=Portland|publisher=Timber Press|year=2004|page=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediawate00spei/page/n204 204]|isbn=978-0-88192-625-5}}
Cultivation
The cultivar is often grown as a novelty plant due to its unusual form. It prefers a situation in sun or partial shade and acidic soil.{{cite web|author=Arnold, Michael A.|title=Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'|year=2006|url=http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/608/Lists/second%20ed/JuncuseffususSpiralis.pdf|access-date=16 July 2011|archive-date=30 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330125223/http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/608/Lists/second%20ed/JuncuseffususSpiralis.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Juncus effusus f. spiralis|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1068|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224050802/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1068|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2012|access-date=16 July 2011}} Plants require permanent water, ideally between 5 and 10 cm deep, or continual irrigation. In-ground containers are sometimes used to contain spread. The cultivar is relatively free of pest or diseases, but is susceptible to drought stress.{{cite book|author1=Rogers, Ray |author2=Rob Cardillo |title=The encyclopedia of container plants : more than 500 outstanding choices for gardeners|publisher=Timber Press|location=Portland|year=2010|isbn=978-0-88192-962-1}} The plants are maintained by the removal of old stems in spring. In North America, they are able to be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 and higher.{{cite book|author1=Nash, Helen |author2=Steve Stroupe |title=Complete Guide to Water Garden Plants |year=2003 |page=195|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company|location=New York|isbn=978-1-4027-0954-8}} It is suited to container cultivation and can be used as a houseplant.{{cite web|author=Urban, Shelly|title=corkscrew rush|publisher=Super Floral Retailing|url=http://www.superfloralretailing.com/june2008/pdf/FPOM_0608.pdf|access-date=16 July 2011}} It can be grown on the edge of water bodies to help control erosion. Propagation is done by division of plants during the active growing phase of the plant. Stems are used in floral arrangements. It can self-seed and become troublesome in some areas.