Juncus fontanesii, commonly known as Desfontaines’ rush, is a perennial herb native to wet meadows, marshes, and along the edges of freshwater bodies in the Mediterranean and West-Asian regions. It is often found in regions from Italy eastwards, including the presence of sub-species pyramidatus and kotschyi. This rush typically forms sprawling clumps with stems that can resemble those of Juncus articulatus. The inflorescence is characterized by a lax arrangement of spherical heads of flowers, which are not particularly showy but have an architectural appeal. The tubular leaves are distinctive with inner cross divisions, and the fruit capsule is notable for being longer than the tepals and gradually tapering to a point.

Desfontaines’ rush is appreciated for its textural qualities and is used in water gardens, rain gardens, and naturalistic plantings, particularly in wetland restoration projects. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions. While it is not a high-maintenance plant, it is important to ensure that it does not dry out. It is not known for significant disease or pest problems, but it can spread in ideal conditions and may require management to keep it in check.CC BY-SA 4.0