(Juncus effusus) is an early growing perennial that establishes along shorelines in shallow water less than 1 foot deep. Each plant supports dense clusters of smooth cylindrical stems. The leafless stems grow 1-3 feet. Soft rush is a popular pond plant because it is short enough to fish over and helps prevent the encroachment of cattails. Anchored by an impressive root network, soft rush offers excellent shoreline stabilization. Soft rush also provides cover and seeds for a variety of birds.