Juncus anthelatus
Kentucky or poverty rush, Kentucky Rush
(c) Nathan Aaron, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nathan Aaron · licence
Family: Juncaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Juncus anthelatus (Kentucky or poverty rush) is a non-native California grass in the Juncaceae family, recognized by . Key features: strongly ridged stems, distinctive geographic restriction.
Kentucky rush is a naturalized perennial herb found in the northern Coast Ranges, specifically in Pitkin Marsh in Sonoma County, in marsh habitats at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering details are unavailable, so specific bloom timing cannot be described. Growing 45 to 90 centimeters tall with 2 to 6 strong ridges along each stem side, this rush forms dense clumped clusters. Its leaves have thin, translucent sheath appendages 1 to 8 millimeters long, with narrow blades approximately 1 to 1.3 millimeters wide. The plant produces perianth parts 3 to 3.9 millimeters long that are generally reddish and spread out when fruiting.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species. Key features: strongly ridged stems, distinctive geographic restriction
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: eastern North America, introduced Oregon to British Columbia
How to tell it apart
vs Schoenoplectus: Juncus has leaf blades present; Schoenoplectus is leafless with only bladeless sheaths at base.; vs Carex: Juncus has round or flattened stems; Carex has triangular stems you can feel.; vs Luzula: Run finger along leaf edge - smooth = Juncus, hairy = Luzula.; vs Elegia: Juncus has small individual flowers; Elegia has showy papery bracts and branching structure.; vs Cyperus: Juncus has round stems and capsules; Cyperus has triangular stems and lens-shaped achenes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Juncus anthelatus native to California?
No. Juncus anthelatus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Juncus anthelatus belong to?
Juncus anthelatus is in the Juncaceae family, genus Juncus.
What habitat does Juncus anthelatus grow in?
Juncus anthelatus grows in Marshes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.