Juncus xiphioides

Juncus xiphioides is a species of rush known by the common name irisleaf rush.

It is native to the Southwestern United States, many areas of California, and in Baja California, and encompassing over 225 species around the globe.

Description
The large inflorescence has many clusters of up to 70 flowers each. The flower has very narrow green, red, or yellow-brown, lance-shaped tepals and six stamens with very small anthers. The fruit is a brown oblong capsule. This plant does not require fertilizer. Also, this plant is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing erect stems to a maximum height between about 40 and 80 centimeters. It has wide leaf blades for a rush, often exceeding one centimeter in width at the base. The few straw-colored leaves reach up to 40 to 80 centimeters in length. This plant grows low to the ground and spreads over the land. Juncus xiphioides grows in wet areas in many habitat types, such as in the sunlight and shade, especially where there is an abundant amount of moisture where the plant can flourish, such as by rivers and lakes. When there is abundant moisture, Juncus xiphioides can withstand lengthy periods of sun exposure.

Cultivation
Juncus xiphioides is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in native plant and water gardens, and natural landscaping projects.

Phytoremediation
Juncus Xiphoides is helpful to the environment in many ways. The plant helps to retain cleanliness of the water through plant phytoremediation. Plant phytoremediation utilizes the plant species to conduct the cleaning of contaminated soil and water found in the soil. This process makes use of the natural abilities of plants to have proper intake, collection and breakdown of soil components and the water found in the environment. It is very economical and healthy for the environment, also decreasing toxic contaminants in the soil and groundwater through soaking up water as well as nutrients from their roots It is seen that Juncus xiphioides has a greater affinity for wetland selenium phytoremediation, similar to other species such as Myriophyllum brasiliense (Parrot’s feather), Typha latifolia (Cattail), and Scripus robustus (Saltmarsh bulrush).