Juncus scirpoides, commonly known as Needlepod Rush, is a perennial herb native to freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and along stream banks in the central and eastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and forms dense tufts or clumps. Needlepod Rush is characterized by its cylindrical, grass-like leaves and its inflorescence, which consists of small, brownish-green flowers that appear in dense clusters from late summer to fall. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they give the plant a distinctive texture in the landscape.

Needlepod Rush is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, wetland restoration projects, and as a naturalizing element in water features. It is also appreciated for its low maintenance requirements and its role in supporting wetland ecosystems. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions. While it is not prone to many diseases, it can occasionally suffer from rust or fungal leaf spots. Needlepod Rush is not known for being invasive and does not typically present problems with aggressive roots or other cultivation issues.CC BY-SA 4.0