Description
Wood-rushes belong to the Juncaceae family, alongside their relatives, the true rushes. Unlike true rushes, which have hairless, narrow, linear leaves, wood-rushes feature flat, grass-like leaves with soft hairs—especially when young. These fine hairs along the leaf edges distinguish them from grasses.

The Great Wood-rush is an elegant, architectural plant with long, lance-shaped, bright green leaves edged with sparse but noticeable white hairs. From April to July, it produces small chestnut-brown flowers in loose, open clusters, which darken as they ripen to seed.

Habitat Information
Greater Wood-rush is widespread across the UK, from Cornwall to the Shetland Isles, though it is patchy in eastern England, from Flamborough Head south to the Home Counties. It thrives in diverse habitats, including oak woodlands, heaths, moorlands, and upland areas such as rock ledges, boulder fields, and stream edges. These environments share common traits: damp, slightly acidic soils, and similar average winter temperatures. The species is intolerant of grazing, which might explain its rarity in lowland grasslands.

As well as seed the plant spreads vegetatively via short stolons, forming dense carpets that stabilize soil, retain moisture, and provide shelter for small mammals and invertebrates. Interestingly, according to the BSBI Plant Atlas 2020, its leaves are a favoured lining material for Golden Eagle nests in Scotland.

Growing Information
Seeds are best sown from late summer to late autumn or early spring. Germination may be slow, as the species forms a persistent seed bank.