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Juncus rigidus

Desf.

Juncaceae Edible: Shoots, Vegetable 240 iNaturalist observations

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Juncus rigidus is a species of rush known by the common name sea rush. It is native to much of Africa and parts of western Asia. It is found inland and by the sea in sandy saline habitats.

Description

A rush. It forms tufts. It keeps growing from year to year. It has underground stems or rhizomes. It grows 60 cm high.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in salt marshes and brackish pools in oasis in the Sahara and on coastal sand dunes. It is very salt tolerant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Botswana, Central Asia, East Africa, Ghana, Mali, Mediterranean, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, North Africa, Sahel, Senegal, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa,

Synonyms

Juncus maritimus var.

Also Known As

Asal, Kokyi, Kyakya, Sely, Semmar, Sumir, Ssmar

References (5)

  • Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 3. Kew.
  • Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 562
  • Karim, F. M. & Dakheel, A, J., 2006, Salt-tolerant plants of the United Arab Emirates. 2006. International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai, UAE. p 98
  • Nassif, F., & Tanji, A., 2013, Gathered food plants in Morocco: The long forgotten species in Ethnobotanical Research. Life Science Leaflets 3:17-54
  • World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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