Battle against Juncus acutus – Spiny Rush

Ranger Diary by Conservation Leading Hand Hamilton Pearson

---

The conservation team have recently completed the annual battle against Spiny Rush in the Fairy lands around Anglesea Caravan Park. Each year we wait until it is dry enough to get into the wetland to combat this spikey invasive weed. Juncus acutus is an aggressive weed, colonizing our native wetlands, displacing smaller and less competitive rushes and sedges. Left unchecked, it quickly creates a monoculture, reducing natural biodiversity.  

It is native to the Americas, Africa, Europe and West Asia, and is found in a variety of wet habitats, such as bogs, fens, meadows, and salt marshes, and along the edges of ponds and lakes. 

After many years of treatment, we are starting to see a positive change to the numbers of plants within the reserve, with lots of indigenous plants returning where the Spiny Rush was present. 

Image source Juncus acutus (Spiny rush):  NSW Weedwise, NSW DPI, Paul Marynissen NSW DPI