Juncus planifolius
New zealand or flat-leaved rush, New Zealand Rush
(c) John Tann, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Juncaceae · Type: Grass · Not Native
Juncus planifolius (New zealand or flat-leaved rush) is a non-native California grass in the Juncaceae family, recognized by introduced species with 3 stamens and yellow anthers.
New zealand rush is a naturalized perennial found in northern California Coast (NCo) bioregion in sunny damp ditches and freshwater shorelines at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering occurs with small clusters of dark brown to nearly black flowers with distinctive yellow stamens. Growing with slender stems 1 to 50 centimeters tall, this rush forms compact or open inflorescences. Its basal leaves are flat and narrow, ranging 1 to 6 millimeters wide, with blades oriented toward the stem. Tiny ellipsoid fruits develop beneath dark brown perianth parts approximately 2.3 to 3.2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; introduced species with 3 stamens and yellow anthers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Locally common. Sunny damp ditches, freshwater shorelines
Elevation: < 150 m
Outside California: southern Oregon, native to Australia, New Zealand, Chile, introduced in Hawaii, Ireland
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 planifolius native to California?
No. Juncus planifolius is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Juncus planifolius belong to?
Juncus planifolius is in the Juncaceae family, genus Juncus.
What habitat does Juncus planifolius grow in?
Juncus planifolius grows in Locally common. Sunny damp ditches, freshwater shorelines.
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.