Juncus breweri
Salt or brewer's rush, Salt Rush
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Family: Juncaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Juncus breweri (Salt or brewer's rush) is a native California grass in the Juncaceae family, recognized by . Key features: coastal habitat, no leaf blades, twisted stems, large dark perianth.
Salt rush is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including northern, central, and southern California Coast Ranges in coastal dunes and marshes at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from late spring to summer, this rush produces dark brown to purple-margined flowers with green centers, small and compact. Growing 10 to 130 centimeters tall with a thick, creeping rhizome, the plant develops slender, twisted or arching stems that are firm and flexible. Its basal leaves are characterized by dark brown, shiny sheaths that are loose, with no visible leaf blades emerging. The fruits are small, ovoid, and dark brown with a shiny surface and an acute tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 39 sympatric species. Key features: coastal habitat, no leaf blades, twisted stems, large dark perianth
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal dunes and marshes
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Marin, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura, Sonoma, Monterey, Kern, San Mateo
Outside California: 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 breweri native to California?
Yes. Juncus breweri is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Juncus breweri grow?
Juncus breweri occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Marin, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Juncus breweri belong to?
Juncus breweri is in the Juncaceae family, genus Juncus.
What habitat does Juncus breweri grow in?
Juncus breweri grows in Coastal dunes and marshes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.