Juncus marginatus
Grassleaved or red-anthered rush, Red-Anthered Rush
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Family: Juncaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Juncus marginatus (Grassleaved or red-anthered rush) is a native California grass in the Juncaceae family, recognized by distinctive 3 stamens with purple-red anthers.
Grassleaved rush is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothill regions of Tehama and Nevada counties in sunny seeps and shallow water at elevations of 300 to 950 meters. With slender stems 15 to 70 centimeters tall, this rush produces flowers with sharply acute sepals and blunter petals in reddish-brown tones. Growing from a short, thick, and knobby rhizome, the plant has leaf blades 1 to 6 millimeters wide that extend along the stem. Its distinctive flowers feature three stamens with purple-red anthers that are notably longer than the reddish-brown petals. The mature plant produces small spherical fruits equal in length to the perianth, with tiny ovoid brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 34 sympatric species; distinctive 3 stamens with purple-red anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common in sunny seeps, shallow water, abandoned placer mines
Elevation: 300-950 m
California counties: Shasta, Tehama, Nevada, Los Angeles
Outside California: Oregon, native from Arizona to New Mexico, eastern North America, Central America, South America
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 marginatus native to California?
Yes. Juncus marginatus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Juncus marginatus grow?
Juncus marginatus occurs in Shasta, Tehama, Nevada, Los Angeles, at elevations of 300-950 m.
What plant family does Juncus marginatus belong to?
Juncus marginatus is in the Juncaceae family, genus Juncus.
What habitat does Juncus marginatus grow in?
Juncus marginatus grows in Locally common in sunny seeps, shallow water, abandoned placer mines.
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.