Juncus capillaris
Hairstemmed rush, Hairstemmed Rush
Family: Juncaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Juncus capillaris (Hairstemmed rush) is a native California grass in the Juncaceae family, recognized by . Key features: tiny size, extremely thin stems, 1-3 flowers per stem.
Hairstemmed rush is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist meadows, streambanks, and granitic seeps at elevations of 1,200 to 3,200 meters. Despite its small stature of 0.7 to 5.7 centimeters, this delicate rush produces tiny flowers with 1 to 3 blooms per stem. Growing with extremely slender stems less than 0.3 millimeters wide, it forms dense tufted clusters that turn reddish-brown when fruiting. Its basal leaves are short, typically less than 2.2 centimeters long, with no sheath appendages. The fruit is less than the perianth length and lighter in color, containing fewer than 10 small seeds that are less than 0.8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 34 sympatric species. Key features: tiny size, extremely thin stems, 1-3 flowers per stem
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, bare to grassy places, meadows, streambanks, granitic seeps
Elevation: 1200-3200 m
California counties: Tulare, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Butte, Lassen, Mono, Inyo, El Dorado, Fresno, Madera
Outside California: southern Oregon
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 capillaris native to California?
Yes. Juncus capillaris is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Juncus capillaris grow?
Juncus capillaris occurs in Tulare, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Butte, Lassen, Mono, Inyo, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3200 m.
What plant family does Juncus capillaris belong to?
Juncus capillaris is in the Juncaceae family, genus Juncus.
What habitat does Juncus capillaris grow in?
Juncus capillaris grows in Moist, bare to grassy places, meadows, streambanks, granitic seeps.
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.