Juncus kraussii
{{Short description|Species of grass}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis 11.JPG
|image_caption = Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis
|genus = Juncus
|species = kraussii
|authority = Hochst.
|subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
|subdivision = Juncus kraussii subsp. austerus {{au|(Buchenau) Snogerup}}
Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis {{au|(Buchenau) Snogerup}}
Juncus kraussii subsp. kraussii
}}
Juncus kraussii commonly known as salt marsh rush, sea rush, jointed rush, matting rush or dune slack rush, is of the monocot family Juncaceae and genus Juncus. It grows in salt marshes, estuarine and coastal areas.{{cite web|url=http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/spaces/display.cfm?id=167|title=Birds in Backyards - Juncus kraussii |year=2007|access-date=2008-10-28}}
This species is ideal as a stabiliser in estuary banks and riparian zones that adjoin developed areas;{{cite web|url=http://www.lhccrems.nsw.gov.au/CPR/CPR/plant_profiles/j.kraussii.htm |title=CPR Coastal Plant Regeneration - Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis |year=2008 |access-date=2008-10-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080904164945/http://www.lhccrems.nsw.gov.au/CPR/CPR/plant_profiles/j.kraussii.htm |archive-date=September 4, 2008 }} it prevents erosion and also provides an excellent fibre for weaving.{{cite web|url=http://www.plantzafrica.com/planthij/juncuskraus.htm|title=PlantZAfrica.com - Juncus kraussii Hochst. |year=2006|access-date=2008-10-28}}
The plant is named after a German naturalist and museum curator, Christian Krauss, who travelled to South Africa.
Description
This species is a tussock shaped perennial with many rhizomes.{{cite web|url=http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1185|title=Florabase - Juncus kraussii Hochst. |year=2008|access-date=2008-10-28}}
The leaves are tough, straw shaped and spine-tipped that grow to be {{convert|40|cm|in}} - {{convert|150|cm|in}} in length with a golden brown or shiny black sheath. The inflorescences or flowers of J. kraussii are reddish brown to purplish brown in colour, {{convert|4|cm|in}} - {{convert|20|cm|in}} in length and are clustered toward the end of the stem. The flowers have clusters of three to six and flowering occurs in Summer between October and January.
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in all states of Australia,{{cite web|url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Juncus~kraussii|title=PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online- Juncus kraussii Hochst.|year=2008|access-date=2008-10-28}} New ZealandBodmin, K.A., Champion, P.D., James, T., Burton, T. (2015) New Zealand Rushes: Juncus factsheets. Hamilton: NIWA Southern Africa and South America.{{cite web|url=http://www.kznwildlife.com/site/ecotourism/activities/flora/Wetlands/Juncus_kraussii_.html|title=Ezemvelo KZM Wildlife - Juncus Kraussii - Wetlands|year=2008|access-date=2008-10-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904073557/http://www.kznwildlife.com/site/ecotourism/activities/flora/Wetlands/Juncus_kraussii_.html|archive-date=2012-09-04}}
Juncus kraussii is salt tolerant and favours a damp environment and is most often found in areas such as swamps and brackish estuaries. The plant is able to grow in a range of soils from sands to alluvium.
Uses
Juncus kraussii is harvested and weaved to produce traditional sleeping mats, baskets, beer strainers, and other craftwork items in many Zulu areas of South Africa. The plant is in great demand because of its economic value and has been extensively harvested in the wild. It is now cultivated in many areas and is harvested yearly for a period of seven years in total.
The stems and leaves of Juncus kraussii were used by Indigenous Australians for fibre, for string, fishing lines, woven rugs and woven baskets. It is commonly used today for stabilisation of the banks of estuaries, around salt marshes and riparian zones next to sites developed for human use. It is also used in biofiltration systems and rain gardens.{{cite web | title=Juncus kraussii | website=Botanic Gardens of South Australia | url=http://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/3384 | access-date=24 November 2020}}