It consists of 8 genera and about 464 known species[2] of slow-growing, rhizomatous, herbaceous monocotyledonous plants that may superficially resemble grasses and sedges.

The small flowers are arranged in inflorescences of loose cymes, but also in rather dense heads or corymbs at the top of the stem or at its side.

They are not bright or flashy in appearance, and their color can vary from greenish to whitish, brown, purple, black, or hyaline.

[3] The common rush (Juncus effusus) is called igusa in Japanese and is used to weave the soft surface cover of tatami mats.

[4] In medieval Europe, loose fresh rushes would be strewn on earthen floors in dwellings for cleanliness and insulation.

It is commonly used today for stabilisation of the banks of estuaries, around salt marshes and riparian zones next to sites developed for human use.