Juncus effusus 'Spiralis', the corkscrew rush (sometimes referred to as Juncus spiralis), is a perennial plant

Perennial plant

A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...

 with green spiraling stem

Plant stem

A stem is one of two main structural axes of a vascular plant. The stem is normally divided into nodes and internodes, the nodes hold buds which grow into one or more leaves, inflorescence , conifer cones, roots, other stems etc. The internodes distance one node from another...

s. It is a cultivar of the soft rush

Soft rush

Soft Rush is a member of the genus Juncus. Native to most continents and hence also known as Common Rush, this plant is found growing in wet areas, such as the purple moor-grass and rush pastures and fen-meadow plant associations in the United Kingdom.-Description:It grows in large clumps about...

, Juncus effusus.

Description

Plants grow to 45 cm high. The young, leafless stems are light green and coiled, the coils becoming looser with age. Plants grow in both a horizontal and vertical direction. By winter, stems become a yellow-brown or tan colour. Flowers are both rare and insignificant in terms of the plants appearance. They are yellow-green or light brown.

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

Juncus balticus

Juncus balticus is a species of rush known by the common name Baltic rush. this plant is widespread in occurrence and can reach a height of about three feet.-References:*C.Michael Hogan, ed. 2010....

 'Spiralis'.

Culivation

The culivar is often grown as a novelty plant due to its unusual form. It prefers a situation in sun or partial shade and acidic soil. 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. Plants are maintained by the removal of old stems in spring. In North America they are able to be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones

Hardiness zone

A hardiness zone is a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by climatic conditions, including its ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone...

4 and higher. It is suited to container cultivation and can be used as a houseplant. It can be grown on the edge of waterbodies to help control erosion. Propagation is by division of plants during the active growing phase of the plant. Stems are used in floral arrangements.