Juncus dichotomus
Dichotomous rush, Dichotomous Rush
(c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zihao Wang · licence
Family: Juncaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Juncus dichotomus (Dichotomous rush) is a non-native California grass in the Juncaceae family, recognized by . Key features: strongly ridged stems, pink base, flowers on one side of branches.
Dichotomous rush is a naturalized perennial found in northern California Coast Ranges (Shasta County) in marshes at elevations below 200 meters. The plant produces small flowers with perianth parts 3.3 to 4.5 millimeters long, which are lanceolate and acuminate. Growing in dense tufts 25 to 60 centimeters tall, it features stems with 2 to 6 strong ridges per side and a base that is often pink. Its leaves are soft, narrow, and 0.5 to 1.2 millimeters wide, with leaf sheaths having small rounded appendages. The plant's inflorescence is open, with lower bracts that are leaf-like and typically longer than the flowering branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species. Key features: strongly ridged stems, pink base, flowers on one side of branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: e N.Am, C.Am, introd. S.Am, New Zealand
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 dichotomus native to California?
No. Juncus dichotomus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Juncus dichotomus belong to?
Juncus dichotomus is in the Juncaceae family, genus Juncus.
What habitat does Juncus dichotomus grow in?
Juncus dichotomus 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.