Rushes and sedges are terms commonly applied to species from the grass-like families Juncaceae, Restionaceae and Cyperaceae.
While occurring in a wide range of habitats, from estuarine to desert, rushes and sedges are particularly important in wetlands.
Unlike many tree and shrub species, they have shallow spreading surface roots, which bind the soil and reduce erosion. Erosion is one of the major constraints to successful river restoration.
